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DE. SUTHERLAND'S 

SYSTEM OF 

EDUCATING THE HORSE, 

with RUlffi FOR TEACHING THE HORSK 80ME 

V< >I1TY 
DIFFERENT TRICKS OR FEATS, 



SUCH AS 



CALLED, MAKE A BOW, SHAKE HANDS, KNOCK ONTHEDOOR ROUND 

[E TABLE .11 Ml' OVER Till; Will!'. .11 Ml' THROI OH THE HOOP, LIE Dl I El 

iWN, SIT UP, WALK ON THREE LEGS, STAND ON lll\T> I. Kin. VVALI i H ID LEGS 
V YES, SAY X<>, WALTZ, PICK UP L'HfNGS, HOLD THINGS, CAKRY A.S'D 1 ; . 



COME WHEN 
STAND ON THE 
DOWJ 
SAY 

OFF CAP, COAT, MITTENS, &c, UNBI lvI,E SADDLI GIRTH ' ID l\AKE OKJ SADDL1 
OPEN AND SHUT THE DOOR, PUMP WATER, FIRE GUN OR PISTOL AT A MARK, RING A BELL 
FIND HTODEN THINGS, TELL Ills ' B C's ADD, MULTIPLY. < 

READ, COUNT OR SELECT THE CARD CALLED FDR, TELL THE TIME OF ] .\ ITCH 

ANSWER ANY QUESTION IN' THE MULTIPLICATION TABLE, TEL1 HIS AGE DAYS IN THE 
WEEK, MONTH-: IN THE YEAR, &c, TELL FORTUNE, BRIN(i THE CARD I ALLED FOR 
- PASS AROl tAT FOR A I "I.I.I CTION. 



BEING ENTIRELY "ORIGINAL," 

i 

First Work on Educating the Horse ever Published. 

ALSO, DIRECTIONS FOR 

TAMING, SUBDUING AND BREAKING 

THE YOUNG HORSE TO THE 

HALTER, SADDLE AND HARNESS, 

AND THE BEST METHOD FOR CUBING OR BREAKING Till': OLD AND VICIOUS HORSE OF 

BALKING. KICKING, REARING AND RUNNING, 

\.\fi MAKING THE once WORTHLESS HORSE, U3AIN KIND, GENTLE, AND VALUABLE. 
WITH DIRECTI02 FOR SJ G A GOOD HORSE, AND Rl 

TELLING THE AGE OF THE HOR I 

u 
Hermon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 

■ The tramp of m> - teed o w ifi b 
[g dearer thai weeter thai 



POTSDAM: 

FAY, BAKER & Co.'s STEAM POWER PRESSES 
1861. 



S 



Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1861, by 

G. H. SUTHERLAND, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Northern District of New York. 



la t> p I 





INTRODUCTION 



" Bound proudly my steed ; nor bound proudly in vain, 

Since thy master is now himself again ; 

And thine be the praise, when the leech's power 

Is idle to conquer the darkened hour — 

By the might of thy sounding hoof to win 

Beauty without and joy within : 

Beauty, else to my eyes unseen, 

And joy, that then had a stranger been. ? ' 

Idler. 

Among all the animals with which Providence has stocked 
the earth, what one can compare, in beauty, speed and service, 
with the Horse ? While he is possessed of a flight of speed 
nearly equal to the " Iron Horse,'' he submits his neck, " cloth- 
ed in thunder," to be restrained by a silken rein. From the 
earliest ages the horse has been identified with man in all his 
perils, triumphs, labors, pleasures and repose. The sentiment 
has been common among all good men, to treat the horse and 
dog with especial kindness, and to cherish and protect them, 
even when the infirmities of old age and long service have ren- 
dered them useless. 

The horse has always been man's ally and faithful slave. In 
war he not only moves all the machinery of the field and camp, 
but shares with his rkler all the dangers and fatigues of the 



battle. Every branch oJ industry owes much to his patient 
toil. lie not only patiently toils before the loaded wagon, 
but shares the excitements and pleasures of the race. Hence 
there is no animal that so much deserves our warmesl sympa- 
thy and kind attention. And that man is greatly to be pitied who 
honestly say, •• 1 care nothing for a horse : " who has no 
appreciation oi' the almost Unman intelligence, the unflinching 
spirit, the majestic beauty, and the marvelous power and fleet- 
aess of a splendid horse. And that man who will knowingly 
or wilfully injure or inlliet unnecessary pain on the horse, 

•• Is only fit for deeds oi' darkness, stratagems and -;•> ds : 

irit ore dull «? night, 
\,vl i, - dark as erebus. 

Let no such man be 




The Arabian florae. 

CHAPTER I . 

A NEW AND OUKJIXAL SYSTEM FOE TAMING, BREAKING 
AND EDUCATING THE YOUNG EORSE. 



"They hailed the colt ; for speed and fire 
Had marked his breed through dam and sire, 
Far back to those whose hoofl had pressed 
The sands of Araby the blessed." 

Having been engaged for several years past in the practice 
of medicine, I have been under the necessity of keeping one 
or more horses for the most part of the time ; and as the labor 
was of a light nature, it was well calculated for breaking and 
training the young horse, as it gave him almost constant em- 
ployment, without that wear and tear to the constitution that 
most kinds of constant labor would produce. And being a 
great lover of the horse, I have not only trained and broke 
what few young horses I have owned during this time, to the 
halter, saddle and harness, but have taught them many feats or 



6 

tricks, such as lying down, sitting up, walking on three logs. 
making bows, jumping the whip, jumping through • hoop, an- 
swering questions, unbuckling his saddle girth and taking off 
his saddle, spelling, counting, telling fortunes, and playing 
cards : besides breaking or curing many old and virions horses 
of balking, rearing, kicking and running away. .Many of these 
were of the very worst character, and mv success has been 
such that if a man possessed a horse that had resisted all man- 
ner and kinds of treatment, he was as a last resort brought to 
me. and I never have yet tailed in one instance of making the 
most vicious horse again perfectly docile anil gentle while un- 
der my control, and the most of them remained, good and faith- 
ful servants the remainder of their lives. Hut some few, after 
being again exposed to the same influence or treatmenl that 
had made them wild or vicious, " returned like the sow that 
was washed to her wallowing in the mire." Could those few 
have remained with me, or been treated with kindness, they no 
doubt would have remained gentle, true, and faithful to the 
ast. 

,-.vy's ^y<! v >m of laming and subduing the horse is mak 
an almost entire revolution in the treatment of the horse. His 
system is superior to anything before published, and his name 
will be ranked with other public ben - of the age. 

-hall not give my system 10 the puhiie as a rival system; 
but as a co-worker in that great but negl< Id of educa- 

tion. 1 shall strive to adhere still closer to thai one great ,prin- 
ciple, kindness. I am convinced, by observation as well as ex- 
perience, that we can successfully tame, subdue and control 
the most wild and vicious horse by kindness alone, without re- 
sorting to the use of drugs, whip, letters, or strangulation, and 
make the most vicious and savage horse not only eat from our 
hands and lie down at our bidding, em follow us around like 
some pet lamb. By this one great principle, kindness, we can 
not only successfully govern our families, but control the in- 
mates of schools, workhouses and prisons, and reclaim the 
most hardened criminal, when all other means fail. And the 
public have only yet to learn the fact that we can by this 
same sytem mine, subdue and control the horse sooner, safer 
and better than by any other system or method before prac- 



ticed by the public. It is an old and true maxim that the " gen- 
tle hand leads the elephant by the hair." He surely is the 
merciful man who puts the whip into the manger and not on to 
the horse 

All young horses, I contend, can be subdued and rendered 

kind, safe and useful, by a proper application of the following 
rules or directions, and my object iii laying down these rules 
will be to teach the her .-email hew to apply them under differ- 
ent circumstances. These simple rules, with a person pes 
ed of a common share of intelligence and ingenuity, will never 
fail or disappoint him. There is no " hokns pokue " or black 
art about them : they are founded OB one of those great Jaws 
of nature, and can be successfully applied by any person of 
judgment and ingenuity. 

Since taming and subduing the young horse is one of the 
first . or the A B C in that important but ill understood 

process of preparing the young Horse for all those man-) and 
important situations in Bociety that he is destined as well as 
qualified by his nature to occupy ; whether in the homely gear 
of field labor, or in the gorgeous trappings of the tourna- 
ment or chariot of war, or to astonish the world with his mighty 
flights of speed, like the Plying Childers or Godblphin Arabian, 
or more recently, our Planet, Fashion, Flora Temple, Ethan 
Allen, or Geo. M. Patchen, — how oecej tary then that we make 
a proper beginning, that we thoroughly understand the busi- 
ness that we are engaged in; for it, is equally true oi the 
young horse as of the child, "just as the twig is bent the tree 
is inclined.'' h. is much easier to prevent an evil than to erad- 
cate it after ii i once established. 

My system is founded on the principle that "Adam's fall" 
did not in the least affect his horse — that all of those vicious 
and dangerous habits that our horses possess are no1 Datura! to 
the horse, but have been taught him in different ways, by mis- 
chievous or ignorant grooms. The Lord, after he had created 
what few horses and other stock necessary for old father Adam 
to commence business with, pronounced them all "good,'' and 
we have every reason for believing it was so. This being the 
case, how important that we bo manage our hi rsei that they 



shall not contract one bad or dangerous vice to reduce their 
value, or render them unsafe or dangerous. 

The horse has no consciousness of his strength or power. 
beyond his experience ; and if we can succeed, while taming 
and breaking him, in keeping him in ignorance of his power to 
do mischief, we shall have no trouble in making the young 
horse, in every instance, perfectly gentle and obedient ; culti- 
vate his noble qualities, and let these useless and dangerous 
passions He dormant and inactive ; strive first to gain his friend- 
ship, and then his love. The horse reasons very imperfectly ; 
give him a mind in proportion to his strength, and he would 
soon demand the green fields for his inheritance, where he 
could "roam where he pleased and breathe the fresh air.*' and 
would deny all right of man to enslave him. 

A\ ith this system the owner of the horse can successfully 
lame, subdue and break to the halter, saddle and harness his 
young colts or horses, without the use of the whip, drugs, or 
fetters, and without their contracting one bad habit to render 
them dangerous or worthless. By this system you can cure 
the vicious horse of all his old and vicious habits that he has 
acquired by bad management, and mako the worthless and 
dangerous animals again good and valuable servants the remain- 
der of their lives. This system of educating the horse being 
entirely original, and the first work of the kind ever published 
in this or any other country, it will be sought after with avidi- 
ty in this age of fast men, fast women and fast horses. The 
more the horse is educated, the more obedient and compan- 
ionable he will be, and the more he will be loved, and conse- 
quently better cared for. 







w. 



The Horse of All Work. 



CHAPTER II 



TAMING AND SUBDUING THE HORSE. 



*« And mettled nags shall paw the earth, and prance, 
Restive to bear, as light as ocean's surf, 
Their graceful burthens o'er the springy turf ; 
Impatient for the golden hour, when 
The test shall come, of which equestrienne 
Shall wear the rose-wreath, meed of merit proud, 
Amid the plaudits of the smiling crowd, 
For having gained, by flying o'er the green, 
The royal title of the Turf's Fair Queen." 

However horsemen may differ in relation to the manner of 
inculcating the first lessons, all seem to agree that perfect kind- 
ness and gentleness should characterize our first endeavors to 
bring the young horse into subjection. 

The breaking and training the young horse to all the differ- 
ent kinds of service for which, when matured, he will be used, 
should commence at an early age. The reason for this is ob- 



10 

vious. As the young horse advances towards maturity he be- 
comes fixed in his habits and more strong: and resolute, and is 
able to offer greater resistance. In training and breaking the 
horse too much pains cannot be taken to have every descrip- 
tion of halter, harness or other fixings put upon him perfectly 
sound and strong. Accidents arising from defects in the hal- 
ter, harness or carriage, are not only dangerous to the horse- 
man, but often ruinous to the young horse. 

Before you commence taming or subduing the young horse, 
prepare a large room or stable where you can confine him and be 
excluded as much as possible from view, and from every thing 
that might tend to disturb him; remove all children, dogs and 
hens from your stable ; have the floor well littered with straw, 
tan bark or saw dust ; next prepare your pocket with a few 
handfuls of corn, or some other grain, or a few crackers. 

All being now ready, you will next proceed to get him into 
the stable. This is very easily accomplished by first lead- 
ing in some broke horse, and placing him in one corner, in 
plain view from the yard. The young horse will generally very 
soon walk in of his own accord ; if not, do not undertake to 
drive him in at once. Avoid all haste ; walk quietly around 
his yard, keep your arms hanging by your side ; now very 
gradually give him less room, by slowly closing around him ; 
lie will not attempt to break away unless } r ou frighten him ; 
keep following him around until he will soon walk into the 
stable. Now give him time to examine his apartment, when 
he will soon become reconciled to his situation. The horse 
has a natural inclination to examine everything, and this he 
does by first taking a look at it, and then smelling or putting 
his nose upon it — this is his way of examisingthings. Although 
he may examine a thing ever so sharply by looking at. it, yet 
he does not appear to be satisfied until lie has touched it with 
his nose. When frightened by any object, he will run a short 
distance, but will soon return, and very cautiously walk around 
it a short distance off, gradually coming nearer with his head 
reached out as far as possible, until he can touch it with his 
nose, then all is right, Knowing this singular characteristic of 
the horse you will be better prepared to manage him. As soon 
as he appears quiet, go gently into his stall, (better to be alone 



11 

if possible,) slowly walk around his apartment, talk to him, 
give him every opportunity to examine you. He will soon 
learn that you are not disposed to injure him, and the presence 
of the broke horse inspires confidence, and he will soon allow 
you to place your hand on him. Now caress him, rub his head, 
neck or body, or the part nearest you very gently at every op- 
portunity ; quietly touch and rub those places that are agreea- 
ble to him ; those places that he cannot easily rub or touch 
with his mouth or feet, such as the back, top of the hips, jowles, 
the underside of the neck and head. There is a quieting, or 
soothing, or if you please a sort of mesmeric influence in those 
gentle strokes or u passes " that no animal can resist. He will 
soon allow you to rub or handle his body without flying from 
you. Give him often a few kernels of corn or a bit of cracker. 
As soon as he will allow you to walk up to him and handle 
every part of his body, and eat from your hands, you have got 
him sufficiently tamed to halter. Many young horses will allow 
you to walk up to them at once, and place the halter on their 
heads, while others are more shy and timid ; but the majority 
will allow you to place the halter on their heads in from fifteen 
minutes to half an hour. 

While taming and subduing the young horse, great care 
should be taken to reward every act of obedience by gentle- 
caress, a pat and a kind word. There is no secret in the busi 
ness — it is accomplished by kindness alone ; you can conquer 
him by kindness, and you pain his love by caresses, and the 
horse that loves you will obey you. But a man, to succeed in 
taming and breaking the horse, must be at least half horse — he 
must love and almost worship him, and feel like exclaiming — 

" The tramp of my steed, so swift and strong, 
la dearer than fame and sweeter than song." 







The English Hunter. 



CHAPTER III. 



BREAKING THE YOUNG BORSE TO THE HALTEE 



**■ With spurning hoof he paws the ground. 
Ho champs his bit, and looks around — 
On high he waves his lofty crest. 
Erects his ears, expands his chest ; 
And, like the rainbow's arch, his neck 
Is curved, tho' not with bridle's check. 
Restless he stands, with nostrils wide. 
And with his neighing seems to chide 
The huntsmen for their long delay. 
For eager he pants to hark away ! ' ' 

After your horse has become sufficiently gentle, and will 
allow you to approach him without flying from you, and allow 
you to handle every part of his body, and eat from your hand, 
or, perhaps, as many will by this time follow you around the 
stable, you may place the halter on his head. 

Always use a leather halter in breaking the young horse : let 



13 

the leather be strong and pliable, and easily and nicely fitted 
to his head. Never put a ropo halter on a young horse ; the 
cords are hard, and hurt his head when he pulls ever so lightly. 
Being hurt, the horse will instinctively try to get his head out 
of the halter, and the harder he pulls the tighter and harder it 
will pinch and hurt his head, and he will generally pull and 
struggle until the halter breaks, or he throws himself several 
times, and by this means not only contracts the habit of pulling 
but endangers his life and limbs. 

All being now ready you will take the halter in your left 
hand, and very slowly approach the colt ; don't bo in a hurry ; 
give him time to examine every part of the halter in his own 
particular way. While he is examining the halter, caress and 
feed him from your pocket ; perhaps while you are caressing 
and feeding him you can place the halter on his head, but if he 
should be somewhat wild or shy, you can always succeed in 
the following manner : Unbuckle the top of your halter, and 
then take hold of the end of the long strap that goes over his 
head with your right hand and carry it under his neck, while 
you reach the left hand over his neck and grasp the end of this 
same long strap. Now lower the halter just enough to get his 
nose into the nose-piece, and then raise up the halter to its 
proper place and fasten your buckle, and all is right. 

In haltering and leading the young horse it would be well to 
bear in mind the old maxim, " that the gentle hand leads the 
elephant by a hair." Next splice out your halter some twelve 
or fourteen feet, so that you can let him walk around the stable 
without checking him or letting go the halter. 

After ho has become somewhat used to the halter, you can 
begin to give him some idea about being led._ Don't undertake 
to hold him still, or draw him after you ; if you do not make 
him pull he never will try, for he knows nothing about his 
strength. You can begin to control him by gently taking up 
the halter in your hand and shortening the distance between 
you and him. Never pull on the halter in a straight line with 
his body, but first stop to the right or left, and then pull him 
gently towards you, as ho has nothing to brace either side of 
his neck ; he will soon be compelled to yield to a steady pull 
on the halter ; as soon as he moves one or more steps towards 



14 

you, stop and caress him. Whenever you pull on the halter in 
this way, speak to him pleasantly, and call him by his name ; 
the horse soon learns to comprehend what we say, and by ad- 
dressing him always with the same gentle tone of voice in con- 
nection with the same requirements, he very readily becomes 
willing to obey merely by addressing him. When you have 
succeeded in making him step towards you, and after reward- 
ing him suitably, gently pull him the other way, first to the 
right and then to the left, or vice versa. Repeat this operation 
until he will follow you in any direction around the stable, not 
knowing that he has the power to do otherwise, and since you 
have treated him with so much kindness he is no longer afraid 
of you, and by your caresses and gentle voice you have so far 
conquered him and gained his friendship, that he would sooner 
follow you than not. Now you can remove the broke horse, 
for by this time he will leave even his father and mother and 
follow you. After leading him back and forth around the sta- 
ble for a short time, open the door of his stable. Now lead him 
back and forth by it several times, and then you may take him 
out into the yard or street. Always in taming and haltering 
the young horse, see that there is no person either in or around 
the stable, as the presence of the second person not only at- 
tracts his attention but often frightens him. By treating the 
horse in this gentle and humane manner, you soon banish all 
fear, and likewise gain his love, and he will strive to obey you, 
not only because it is a pleasure, but in order to receive those 
little rewards in the shape of caresses and corn that he has 
been in the habit of receiving for obedience. There is no 
horse so wild or vicious but what can be completely tamed and 
subdued, and will submit to be led around in any direction, by 
a proper application of these rules, without as much as once 
rearing or throwing themselves. 




The BnglisK Thoroughbred. 



CHAPTER IV 



BREAKIXG THE YOUNG HORSE TO THE SADDLE 



" Gamarra is a dainty steed, 
Strong, bay, and of a noble breed, 
Full of lire and full of bone, 
With all his line of fathers known. 
Fine his nose and nostrils thin, 
But blown abroad by the pride within. 
His mane is like a river flowing, 
And his eyes like embers glowing 
In the darkness of the night, 
And his pace as swift as light.'" 

In breaking the young horse to the saddle, you will treat him 
in that same gentle and quiet manner as direeted in taming and 
breaking them to the halter. Many horsemen first break their 
young horses to the harness before they attempt to ride them ; 
and it is often the best plan of management. Indeed, there are 
very few young horses, if any, that have been properly broke 



16 

to the halter and harness, but what you could mount and ride 
with perfect ease and safety. 

Before you commence breaking your horse to the saddle, 
prepare a suitable room or stable: have the floor well littered 
with straw or tanbark, and remove everything that would tend 
to frighten or disturb him, and if possible have no other per- 
son in or around the stable to disturb or attract his attention. 
Xow place upon him a good strong bridle, with a plain snaffle 
bit. You will have no trouble in putting- on his bridle, as he 
will not notice the difference between the bridle and the halter 
that he has been in the habit of weaving, except in the bit : this 
he may not relish quite so well at first, but he will very soon 
become accustomed to its presence in his mouth. Next take 
the saddle in your hand and let him examine it, look at it. smell 
of it. and rub his nose against it. and when he has had sufficient 
time to make the necessary examinations, and satisfied himself 
that there is nothing about it that will hurt or injure him, you 
will take the saddle under your right arm, and while you are 
caressing him. gently place it on his back, give it quite a num- 
ber of shakes, that he may be aware of the presence of the sad- 
dle on his back: if he is not disposed to object to its being 
there, you may very gently place the crouper under his tail, 
and then make the saddle fast to its place by buckling the girth 
moderately tight around him. Allow him to stand for a short 
time in his stall, or until he gets somewhat used to the pres- 
ence and pressure oi' the saddle. If your bridle has double 
reins, so much the better, if not, you will attach another tem- 
porary set. and by means of those extra reins, and a ring pre- 
pared for the purpose in the front end of your saddle. •' check 
up " your horse to any required position, and have him by this 
means more completely under your control; 

Have your check quite loose at first, and then tighten it as 
circumstances or your taste may dictate, as you progress in 
breaking your horse, but always loosen it while your horse is 
standing. You can now lead him around for a short time, or 
until he becomes somewhat used to the crouper and the check 
rein. 

As soon as he appears quiet and docile, throw the other 
reins over his head, as vou would in riding - , and then with a 



17 

hand on either sfde of his saddle, walk by his side and drive 
him around the stable, stop often and carets him, and feed him 
from your pocket. As soon as lie will allow fob to drive him 
around in this way, and start and stop when bid, you may place 
your right foot in the stirrnp, and with your right hand bearing 
ori the opposite side of your saddle, bear quite hard in the stir- 
rnp. Repeat this often, first on-one side, and then on the other; 
now in the same wny place your foot in the stirrup and raise 
yourself slowly up: if he appears afraid or restless, stop and ca- 

iiiin. Whenever you make a move to lead or mount him, 
speak to him pleasantly, call him by name; always use the same 
gentle tones of voice. 

If he will submit to all this and remain quiet, you can throw 
your body across the saddle, or throw your leg over his crouper 
and place yourself in the saddle. Now pat and caress him while 
sitting in the saddle ; mount and dismount several times. As 
soon as you can mount and dismount, and turn him this way U id 
that way, and start and stop when bid, you may commence to 
ride him around the room or stable. Always keep your left 

the shortest,' ^nd in this 1 way yon will prevent him from 
making any sudden spring. Give him a few lessons in this way 
stopping him often, mounting and dismounting until you can 
ride him in any direction you may choose, and then you may 
take him into a large yard or the street. Perhaps you would 
do well now to make his check somewhat tighter — this alone is 
one powerful means of conquering and controlling the young 
Uor^e, but never allow it to lie on him any great length of time 
very tight, while standing, or while you are caressing him — al- 
ways loosen the check rein. Give him short rides at first; if he 

ars restless or angry, talk to him. If necessary, stop and 
dismount and loosen his cheek, and walk around him; as soon as 
he appears quiet, mount him again, and he will soon allow you 
to mount him without moving a foot, and ride him in any direc- 
tion without as much as once rearing or throwing himself or his 
rider, and has not contracted one bad habit or vice while break- 
ing, to reduce his value, or render him in |any way unsafe or 

dangerous. 

As your horse becomes gentle you can lengthen or shorten 
his check until you bring his head and neck into any position 
your judgment or fancy may dictate. Much has been said and 



la 

written on the use and abuse of the " eheek rein." While one 
would reeommend it under some particular circumstances, oth- 
ers again would condemn it altogether. The check rein, I con- 
sider, like many of our physicians, good in their place; but 1 
must confess, too often found out of their place. 

In breaking- our young horses to the saddle and harness, it 
would be almost impossible to dispense with the cheek rein. It 
is a powerful means of controlling , the horse, and bringing his 
head and neck into that graceful position so much admired by 
all amateurs of the horse. Our horses will often look, tra 
ami in every way closely match, except in the carrying of their 
heads, and by the humane use of the cheek, we can remedy this 
ono defect, and make the match perfect. But in breaking tin- 
young horse to the " turf.*' or for a "fast nag." wo should dis- 
pense with it almost entirely. Instead of forcing the head up 
and the nose in. we should allow them to extend them as much 
as possible, for the more the head, nock and body are brought 
into a straight line, the more straight and direct the "breathing 
tube " that leads from the lungs, and consequently the freer and 
easier the breathing will be. and this is quite an important item 
with the sporting man. 

Never use martingales on a young horse when you ride him 
for the first few times. Every movement of the hand should 
go directly to the bit. in the direction in which it is applied, 
without the martingales to change the direction of the force 
applied. After your horse has been rode until he is well accus- 
tomed to the bit, you may then find it an advantage to put mar- 
tingales on him; indeed they are almost indispensable. 

Nothing now remains to complete his education but to teach 
him his paces; this is of the greatest importance, as on his per- 
fection in them depends much of his future usefulness and val- 
ue. No pace is of so much importance to the young horse as 
the walk, and the young horse should be thoroughly drilled in 
this before any attempt is made to push him into the trot. 

Don't be over anxious to have your horae acquire a reputa- 
tion for a " fast horse " before he has learned to move well in a 
natural trot. In riding always keep your reins snug, no matter 
how gentle the horse; the gentlest horse is liable to become 
frightened, besides your horse always needs a gentle pressure 
on the bit. Occasionally he should be pushed to his extreme 



19 

speed in tho trot, but he should be kept at it only for a few 
moments at a time, and whenever he has done well reward him 
with a kind and soothing word. 

"What greater luxury can a man possess than a young and 
gallant steed, well broke to the saddle, and what can be more 
cxhilerating or soul stirring than to escape from the con- 
lined office, or hot and dusty city, and throw ourselves into the 
saddle and gallop over the country and snuff tho fresh morning- 
air. A celebrated physician once said " if there was any cure 
for consumption it was in horseback riding." 

" With a glancing eye and curving inane, 
lie neighs and champs on the la-idle rein, 
One spring and his saddled lack I press, 
And ours is a common happiness. 

There is life in the breeze as we hasten on, 
With each boun 1 some care of earth is gone, 
And the languid pulse begins to play, 
And the nighl < :'my soul is turned t« 




The American Troticr. 



C H A P T E R V . 



[IONS FOB BREAKING THE YOUNG 
HARNESS. 



HORSE TO THE 



• "lis the rapture of motion — a hurrying olond, 
When the loosened winds ore breathing loud, 
And the dizzy earth seems reeling by, 
And nought is at rest but the arching sky. 
And nature, with all her love and grace. 
In the depths of my spirit can find no place." 

Idlek. 

In breaking the young horse to the names?, yon will treat him 
in that same quiet and gentle manner recommended in taming 
and breaking to the halter and saddle. You will take him into 
a large tight stable ; first remove every tiling that might tend 
to frighten r listnrb him ; better to be alone with him if possi- 



21 

ble, for the presence of a second person not only attracts 
bis attention, but often frightens him, and I have always 

found by experience that I could control and manage a horse 
better and sooner While alone with him, than when assisted b\ 
another person. After he has been in the stable a sufficient 
length of time to have eaxmined his apartment thoroughly, and 
satisfied himself that there is nothing about the premises that 
will injure him, you can fetch in your harness and place it on 
him in piecemeals. Work very slow — allow him time to exam- 
ine every part before you place it on him, in his own peculiar 
manner, by looking, smelling and nibbing hi3 nose on it. The 
horse always feels quite interested in these examinations, and 
always displays a sort of satisfaction after he has gone through 
with his investigations. And the quickest and easiest way of 
breaking the young horse to any one business is, to allow and 
encourage him to become interested in all that business he is 
about to engage in. 

After you have succeeded in placing the harness on him, al- 
low him to stand in his stall until he becomes somewhat used to 
the presence and pressure of the different parts, and will allow 
you to rattle them about, without his curing for them, and will 
eat from your hand. Now lead him around the stable for a short 
time ; if he appears restless or angry, stop and caress him ; ;>- 
soon as he appears quiet, check him up quite loosely, and take 
down the lines and drive him around the stable. When he be- 
comes familiar with the harness, cheek and lines, and will - 
when told, and stop when bid, and turn this way and that way. 
you can take him out into some yard or street and drive bin 
around ; stop often and talk to and caress him. When yon want 
him to go tell him to go, and when you want him to stop say 
whoa ; always tell the horse in a gentle tone of voice what you 
wish him to do; talk to hirn in plain language, and not talk to your 
horse as many of our best horsemen often do. The}' will say, 
for instance, go along, whoa ; whoa, go along ; back, whoa ; and 
whoa, back. Now how in the name of common sense is the poor 
horse to understand what they want ? He is told to go. and in 
the same breath he is told to stop — told to stop and at the same 
time told to go, and often receives the lash for doing as he is bid. 
How can any reasi nan expect his horse to obey when ad- 

aed after this manner? The horse is not a fool : he is ofl 



. .. 

— 

possessed oi superior talei - sqy of hiejnore favored mas- 
and if he was only possessed with the gift of speech like 
Baalam's Ass oi'eid. would often be capable of -giving their mas- 
ters useful and important lessons on the treatment of the horse, 

The horse not only soon loarns to comprehend what wo say to 
him. but also understands our gestures as wall ;l:; [iiC different 
expressions ot' our countenances. As soon as he will allow J on 
to drive him around the yard or street, ami obey you as in the 
stable, you can place him before a good strong sulky. It ia ab- 
solutely necessary tfyat you have a good strong harness, as well 
as all other fixtures m breaking the horse. Many good and val- 
uable young horses have boon ruined by having- some part of an 
old rotten harness or carriage give way while driving, to say 
nothing about the limbs broken and lives lost by the oeenr- 
reik v . 

Give him time to examine the sulkey, turn it round, let him 
smell of it ami touch it with his nose, and stand by ii until he 
lees no: oare tor it. Now let him stand direetly before the 
sulkey, while some person stands en the rigin side and holds him 
by the bit. while yor. stand on the left side facing the sulkey. 
Now run your left hand back until it rests on his hips, and then 
j told of the shafts with your right hand, and draw the sulkey 
very gently up until the shafts are square over him. and then 
'.em down very gently and place them in the shaft-heaivrs. 
A.s soon as they are in place, shake them so thai he may feel them 
: <t his sides. It lie will bear them without searing, fasten your 
igs I side straps, Nowlead him around untilhe becomes used 
to tl'.t presence and motion of the sulkey. and then gradu- 
ally work back with the lines in your hand, until you get behind 
the sulkey. mid then drive him around : stop often and oarass 
. and feed him from your pocket. It is very important that 
your horse should go gentle the tirst time you hitch him up. 
Lfter you have driven him in this way a short time, he appears 
tie, you can. while he is walking along, gently draw yourself 
up into the seat, and all will now go well. After you have walk- 
ed him around a short time there is not halt' the danger of his 
pming frightened : give him a short drive before the sulkey 
every day until he is perfectly gentle, and then you may place 
re any other light carriage, or by the side o[ another 
broke horse, and if you are breaking him for the farm, or for 



23 

boding heavy loads, you can gradually increase his load until 

be '•■•ill draw any reasonable amount without ooce knowing that 

be has Ibe power or ability to do otherwise. After your boree 

iffieiently broke to the ha ■ • i yon can either allow him to 

enry his head as nature may dictate, or by a humane and prop- 
er nee of the "eheok rein,'' bring hii bead and neck into what- 
ever position your judgment or fai ly dictate; but ;■ 

allow your hone to stand for any length of time in that restraint 
and unnatural position that the check rein often place- him 
in. Always use in breaking the young horse a bridle without 
blinds. Allow him to erytllkig / about him. The 

horse will often become frightened at what he can only hall 

en if he could hare ■ plain I ing tavbe- 

come frightened at. 

In driving the young horse, the gentlest care should be taken 

to keep each pace clear and distinct from each other. While 

i he should be made to walk, and not alio I I trot. 

While trotting 1 , as in walking, care must be taken that he keeps 

lily at his pace, and not allowed to slack into a walk. In 

driving alwa* &g« Whenever you pnsh him 

to the top of d and the reins 

may learn to I bit, SI itis by means of 

the reins chiefly that the 

-peed, i- kc-j. 

The art of driving well, cannot be taught by any written 
stmctiens; pi I e 'full 

horseman. The young horse should I at a 

moderate pace two or three lailes, occasionally crowding 
the utnM 1; by doing this, he, if p 

of the right metal, soon acquires a relish for Those "1 

C re roust be taken that while you ai g to 

. »p hi:- powers in the 1 rot. that you must " ' his 

other paces. This i« my method oi 

king the young horse, and I have never failed in one in- 
king the n •' I and v cioue horse t 
■ tie. 



CHAPTER VI. 

A NEW AND ORIGINAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATING THE HORSE. 

WITH DIRECTIONS FOR TEACHING HIM FORTY 

DIFFERENT TRICKS. 

" To steeds has nature with transcendent art 

Lent human feelings and a human heart. 

They recognize their rider from afar, 

And neighing, hail the chief renowned in war; 

Or if in death he fall upon the plain, 

They groan, lamenting o'er the comrade slain." 

Cyrsegetics of Oitiav 

I next proceed to give you my system of educating the 
horse. This system is wholly original with me. Indeed, it 
would have been impossible for me to have borrowed any part 
thereof, from any other work of the kind, for it is well known 
to every one at all conversant with the literature of the day, 
that there is not at the present time one single work published 
on Educating the horse. Neither has there ever been, and for 
this reason I now propose to take a few steps in this before 
untrodden but inviting path which leads to this neglected and 
unexplored field of labor. And as the present period is one of 
almost a " horse mania," anything relating to, or that will in 
any way tend to improve the horse, add to his beauty, speed 
or usefulness, render him more safe or companionable, will be 
eagerly sought after. The horse is not only one of the most 
beautiful animals that inhabit our globe, but the most intelli- 
gent. Man has not yet dreamed of the amount of natural tal- 
ent possessed by the horse, or the mental culture that he is 
susceptible of. 



25 

Wo often road, in works of fiction, of the marvelous exploits 
of tho almost human intelligence, displayed by the horse. But 
" truth is often stranger than fiction," and was never more fully 
demonstrated than by tho horse. Tho different feats and tricks 
that he has been taught to perform, are roally astonishing, and 
the man capable of teaching tho horse all of those wonderful 
and mysterious tricks, would have been considered a few years 
ago in leaguo with the devil, would have been convicted of 
witchcraft, and executed according to law, " in such case made 
and provided." 

Many of the readers of this work will no doubt remember 
tho " White Pilgrim," a fine little cream colored horse that I 
educated some seven years since, and I cannot give a better 
idea of what tho horse is capable of being taught, than to here 
insert a short sketch of his performances, taken from the St 
Lawrence liepublican, published at Ogdensburgh, and copied 
into most of the leading papers throughout the county : 

Written for the 3t. Lawrence Republican. 
ONE OF THE HORSES. 



Hermon, October 8th, 1854. 
To the Editors of the St. Lawrence Republican : 

During my wanderings a short time since, I chanced to stop 
at Hermon. Hearing while there of Dr. Sutherland's learned 
colt, had tho curiosity to go and see him, and found him a 
prodigy in learning, besides being quite a curiosity. The doc- 
tor calls him tho " White Pilgrim." lie is only three years 
old; his color is light nankeen, white mane and tail, and white 
eyes. He is a splendid little horse. The doctor tells me that 
he has owned him only six months — rode or drove him almost 
every day, (as he has kept no other horse, and his ride is con- 
siderable, they inform me.) but still during that brief time, he 
has broke him to the saddle and harness, and taught him the 
different feats I saw him perform, such as standing upon his 
hind feet, jumping the whip, kneeling down, lying down, sitting 
up and walking on three legs. He will unbuckle a common 
saddle girth, and take off his own saddle ; he will step up to his 



26 

own master, make a very low bow, shake hands, take his cap, 
coat and mittens off, and lay them away, and when told, bring 
them all back to him again. With cards he will tell his age, 
the days in the week, months in the year, <fcc. With the alpha- 
bet, he will spell any simple word put out to him. Spread out 
a number of playing cards, and he will fetch the one called for. 
He will play a good game of " old Sledge," and beat you as 
often as you can him, and tell your fortune if requested. He 
will waltz around his yard, with quite as much ease and grace 
as some of our country gentlemen, and pass around the hat for 
a contribution at the close of the performance. Beat this who 
can ! 

There is no humbug about this, and any one can see the 
same at any time by calling on G. H. Sutherland, of Hermon, 
St. Lawrence County, N. Y. He is a rare specimen of horse 
flesh, and his equal, I think, for beauty, activity and intelli- 
gence, could not be found, considering the labor performed by 
him and the short time he has been under discipline ; and the 
doctor certainly deserves credit of being a great horse man. 

Yours in haste, 

A SUBSCRIBER. 

I have now at the present time (1861) a small black horse 
colt, some months old, that is really a " prodigy " in learning. 
I call him "Crazy Joe."' He is grandson to that celebrated 
trotting stallion, "Grey Eagle/' on the fathers side, and also 
grandson to that equally celebrated trotting stallion, " Tom 
Jefferson,*' on the mother's side, and considering the age and 
time spent in educating him, he is really a wonder, and to give 
you some idea of what a colt some four months old is capable 
of being taught, I will here insert a notice of his performances 
when only four months old, taken from the Courier & Journal 
published at Canton, St. Lawrence County: 

MIRACLES WILL NEVER CEASE. 



Many of our subscribers will no doubt remember reading the 
account of Dr. Sutherland's learned horse, "White Pilgrim,'' 
that he educated some six years ago. By many the feats and 



27 

tricks that he would perform were considered miracles, and he 
was no doubt a highly educated horse. 

But the doctor tells us that he has now a four year old mare 
that he calls " Crazy Jane," that will step up to a table and 
take a game of "Old Sledge" with any person, and play as fast 
and correct as most men, besides spelling any simple word put 
to her, tell her age, days in the week, months in the year, <fcc, 
and perform many other feats both curious and interesting. 
The doctor has also a young colt by this same mare, some four 
months old, that he calls "Crazy Joe," that is really a prodigy. 
He will now not only play at cards, spell, count, answer ques- 
tions, by nodding and shaking his head, but perform many oth- 
er curious feats too numerous to mention. 

If any one should be in the least credulous about the truth 
of these statements, he has only to call on Dr. Sutherland at 
his residence in Hermon, N. Y., who would be most happy to 
remove any doubts, by exhibiting his learned horses. 

ir 

My success has been such in taming, breaking and educating 
the horse, that after being often solicited, I have at last con- 
sented to make it public. I have endeavored in writing this 
part of the work, to make it both interesting and useful, and if 
it should be the means of making that noble animal more use- 
ful, and better his condition, I am amply rewarded. 



CHAPTER VII. 

TRICK 1st— TO COME WHEN CALLED 

Will be the first trick or feat to teach the horse after he has 
been properly tamed and broke to the halter. This trick is 
very soon taught to the young horse, and will not only serve 
as a sort of stepping-stone to other tricks that follow, but it is 
a very pretty and convenient accomplishment for any young 
horse to possess, besides adding materially to his value. To 
teach the horse this trick and many of those that follow, it will 
be necessary to provide a small training yard some 30 feet 
square, or what would be still better, one with eight sides, or 
eight square ; let it be surrounded with a high tight fence, so 
high that the horse will not even think of breaking out ; have 
the ground inside well littered with straw, saw dust or tan bark. 
If you should not wish to go to the expense or trouble of 
building such a yard, a large stable with the stalls removed will 
answer a very good purpose. Indeed a person could teach his 
horse many of those tricks in any common stable. Next pro- 
vide your pocket with a few handfulls of corn, or a few cookies, 
so that you will be able to pay him well for every time that he 
obeys, or makes an effort to obey. In educating, as in taming 
and breaking, better to be all alone with your horse, if possi- 
ble, and treat him always with the most affectionate kindness. 
Never allow yourself to get angry or out of patience with him. 
Never use the whip unless absolutely necessary to make him 
obey you, and then very gently. All being now ready you will 
take your horse into his training yard or stable, splice out his 
halter with some small rope or cord to some 15 or 20 feet ; you 
will now take hold of the cord with your left hand and with a 
long "bow whip"' in your right : stop some six feet in front of 



29 

hiro, and then address him with, come Charlie, or oorne Kitty, 
(always calling your horse by his name), and at the same time 
hit him lightly around his fore legs with your whip, and then 
by means of the cord lead him up to you. Now talk to him, 
pat, caress and give him a few kernels from your pocket ; al- 
ways speak to your horse in a pleasant manner, tell him what 
you want, repeat the same words or sentences every time in 
connection with the same act or actions, and he will soon 
learn to comprehend what you say. Every time that you call 
on him to come to you, call him by his name, and hit him around 
the fore legs with your whip. When he walks up to you drop 
your whip and caress him. Now gradually work back by tak- 
ing hold nearer the end of the rope ; as soon as he will walk up 
to you when called, or at the crack of the vjhij), you can take 
off his halter and turn him loose in his yard, and he will now 
not only hurry up when called to receive the caresses and corn, 
but he has likewise learned that this is the only way of escape 
from the lash ; repeat these lessons often until he will come to 
you from any part of the yard at the crack of the whip, and 
then you can take him into the field or street, and he will fol- 
low you around like some pet lamb without your saying one 
word, merely by the motion of your whip. By the humane and 
timely use of the whip, you can compel him to perform any of 
the following tricks which makes it a certainty, and you will 
never be disappointed. First, gain his love by kindness, and 
then you can mould him as you would a child, into whatever 
form you may choose, — that is if you are composed of the 
proper material and understand " Horseology." 



CHAPTER VII I. 

IS '-:-— TO MAKE A 

To teach your horse to make a bow, it will not be neeessar\ 
to take him into your training yard — any common stable wjj] 
answer a very good purpose. For teaching this trick and many 
that will follow, it will be necessary to provide yourself with a 
small rod, something like a small walking cane, — a gentleman's 
walking cane would answer every purpose ; let the lower end 
be brought to a point. 

While your horse is standing in your yard or in the stable, 
step in front of him and address him with, good morning Char- 
lie ! or good day Jenny! (or whatever his name may be,) and 
at the same time touch him quite hard with the point of your 
rod in the breast, and he will instantly make a grab with his 
mouth for the rod. This will produce a bow like motion of the 
head — this you are to take for a bow; now caress him, and give 
him a few kernels of corn from your pocket, or a bit of cookie. 
Repeat this several times each day, and he will soon make quite 
a genteel bow merely by addressing him with good morning or 
good day. If he should hesitate at first in making his bow, you 
could touch him (unnoticed by any one) near the point of the 
shoulder with the end of your right thumb. This is quite a 
pretty little trick, and is very readily taught to almost any 
horse. If you should think of educating your horse, or if you 
should only think of teaching him a very few tricks you would 
do well to take him into his yard once or more times each day 
as you have leisure or inclination, and commence with the first 



31 

trick, and rehearse them over from first to last several times 
at each exercise. The horse is not the only animal that can be 
educated. The same system or rules can be applied in educat- 
ing the ass, mule, dog, sheep, hog, goat, deer, and almost any 
other animal of the brute creation. 



CHAP T E R . X 



id— TO SHAKE HANDS 



To teach a horse to shake hands it will not be necessary to 

m into your yard; any common stall or stable will an- 
swer every purpose. While your horse is standing in his stall 
yard, step in front of liim and address him with " Come, 
Charlie, give me your loot.'* or u Come, Jimmy," (or whatever 
his name is.) and at the same time hit him lightly several times 
on his fort leg with your rod, or until lie will commence to 
strike or paw. and when he does this you will reach out your 
hand and take hold of his leg. and bring it forward and hold it 
for a short time, while yon caress and Iced him from your 
pocket. 

Eepeat this several times each day, and your horse will soon 
reach out his foot and shake hands with you merely by speak- 
ing or extending the arm, as in the act of shaking hands. This 
trick is very soon taught to a young horse, and when your 
horse will walk up to you, make a low bow, and shake hands 
with you, it certainly looks friendly in him, if no more. 

In teaching the horse to '-come when called," or to "shake 
hands," and many or most of the tricks that follow, you can 
adopt any sign or signal that you may choose, to make your 
horse come when you wish, or make a bow. or shake hands, 
only have it understood between you and your horse, and in 
this way those standing around cannot tell by what means it is 
accomplished. 

For instance, you can instruct your horse to come to you at 
* the crack of the whip, or shake hands by extending the hand. 



53 



and make a bow I ■ ing the fingers, and noi be under the 

'y of calling upon thorn in words to perform certain 
feat? or actions, which make u more mysterious and in- 

teresting to spectators 



a : I :■ i \ 
-TO KNOC ■ a , m 

In teaching the Uors 
door of your yard, or const] temporary door for him to 

practice upon. Now I > horse befon the door upon 

which you wish him to rap. and, standing on the nearside 
will tap him lightly on the [eft Fore Leg, as in teaching bun to 
shako hands, and call upon him to knock on the door. This 
will cause him to strike or paw with his foot, in a. taps, 

and by placing him at i u propel distance from the door, he 
will strike it with his toe. For this you must caress and re- 
ward him. and by frequent repetition he will soon learn to 
knock upon a door as certainly and as knowingly as many of 
our "spiritual rappers." This trick is scarcely entitled to the 
name of trick, and is of itself rather a simple affair, but when 
united with others that follow, it adds materially to its value. 
In this place we merely teach the horse to knock on the door, 
before we get through, we shall teach him not only to knock 
on the door, but to unfasten, then open it. pass through, and 
shut the door behind him : the whole of which make a splendid, 
affair. 

In educating your horse, you will often succeed better to 
take hi:.: into your training yard, and rehearse the different 
tricks alreadx taughl him, < I oh, or when I 

somewhat hungry, as he will then be more anxious 
order to receive the Hale rewards in the form i 
crackers or 



35 

In rehi - i -rse 

them in order, as you Lav. | em. calling upon yom 

horse to perform different tr : . : ., dis- 

ice, call him I if to 

lie down, tell him to lie <:• 

Al g '• 

■ 5, and tl 
to '■< mprel end what y 



C II A P T E R X 1 . 

RICK I STAND ON A TAB] 

Yov will commence teaching the horse to stand on a table 
by 6 ring him stop upon some Btrong box or platform tod 

or twelve inches high, and alter suitably rewarding him m or- 
der to make him yield cheerful obedience, you can gradually 

increase the night of your box or platform until lie will rear up 
and 'place his leer on the top of a strong table, or even higher 
if required. If yon should be so disposed, yon can soon teach 
your horse to rear up and place his tore toot in the '"tail end" 
)fa wagi structed for the purpose,) or any common low 

■ wagon, and allow himself to be drawn .-round. Tins 
no by first making him place his lore feet in the back 
end v -: ■ Qg - ed or sleigh, and then with caresses, I 

q quiet while he can be drawn around. Repeat this 
adually increasing the hight of your carriage, until 
your horse will rear tip. place his fore foot in the back end of 
my strong cart or wagon, and allow himself to bo drawn 
around. By the same gradual process 3 on ran so >n teach 
of those small Lilliputian ponies not only to place his tore feet 
npon a summon table, but leap upon it with all four oi' his 

. lily as a cat would leap upon a counter. Since yon will 
a good strong table for teaohing this trick and many oth- 
ers that will follow, I here annex the description of such an one 
as yon will find convenient, and will answer nil purposes for 
1 a table will 1 ided. 

st plan would be. first to make a common 



37 

strong ' ' iirty inches high, and three leer square 

Let the legs be three inches square, and the top of .nch and a 

Lull plank. This will make a table sufficiently strong to allow 
any small horse to place his fore feet upon it. Place an inch 
board fourteen inches wide, edgwise through the centre of 
your table, then divide one side of your table into three step3 
or -tairs about three inches high, and six inches wide. In some 
of the tricks which follow, such as playing cards, <fce., these 
steps or stairs will be found very useful to spread the card- 
upon. 



CHAPTER XII. 
TRK3K6ra— TO CIECL1 ABOUND 

TAKE your horse to bis training yard or some large room. 
You can removo the bridle or make it fast to a surcingle placed 

around him for that purpose. First start him on the walk 
around the yard, and after he lias made two or three circuits 
of the yard, you will say to him "Go the other way. sir," and 
at the same rime turn him with your whip and send him the 
other way. Stop him often and caress and iced him. Repeat 
is often as may ho necessary, at different rates of speed, until 
lie will circle around at full gallop, and turn this way and that 
way, at the crack of the whip or word of command. Repeat 
this often, stopping him every iew moments while you caress 
him and feed him from your pocket. As soon as lie has learned 
to have implicit confidence in you, and feels assured that you 
will not injure, but reward him, tor quick obedience, he may 
aken into the open field or street, and. he will soon learn to 
circle around you without bridle or halter. This is an easy but 
important trick, because it is readily understood by the horse, 
and will furnish a good criterion to determine whether he has 
acquired the willingness and confidence ne i issary in his sub- 
sequent training. 

Be very cautious about the use oi' the whip, or harsh lan- 
guage, remembering that perfect, cheerful obedience i.- your 
object, and that can be secured only by great patience and 
gentleness. This trick not only serves as a eonnecting link in 
our chain, but is of itself a beautiful accomplishment for the 



j craog home ; fin there !• pernapi way is i 

ireQ display I ii activity, or beautiful proportions, ai ."n 
circHog around 1 r, tonus ly and that: to 

nothing dt restoring botfi halter and ' md then 

yonr Lor:-/; gallop ironnd yon. t.\ ay and 

readily as when resin ined by tl e 



CHAPTER XIII . 

TRICK 7th— TO JUMP THE WHIP. 

The best place to teach the horse to jump the whip, is in 
your training yard ; but you can succeed very well in any com- 
mon yard, or even in the street, but it is not so pleasant. You 
will first make several holes with a large augur, in your yard 
fence, some twelve inches apart, one above the other, like the 
holes in a farmer's buck-board. Theu place on your 
horse a bridle with a running rein, and provide 
yourself with a small rod some eight ro ten feet 
long, of good, smart timber, and about the size of a 
common rake-stall: All being now ready, you will draw your 
rein, and start your horse on the gallop around you, and as he 
passes around the yar-d you will place one end of your rod in 
the lowest hole in the fence, while you hold the opposite end 
in your right or left hand (as will best suit your convenience) 
and call upon him to '-'Jump the whip I" and as he passes back 
and forth between you and the fence, he will have no alterna- 
tive but to jump this rod or whip ; and as your rod is quite a 
light affair you can use it as you would a whip in driving him 
around, until he gets near the holes, and then you can carry it 
forward and place the end in one of the holes and allow him to 
leap over. After leaping the rod several times back and forth 
stop, caress and reward him. When lie will jump the rod in the 
lowest hole, gradually raise it higher, until he will jump the 
hight you may wish. 

Repeat this lesson several times at each training, until you: 
I se will leap back and forth over your rod without touching 



41 

it, and then remove your bridle, or, what is often a better plan. 
make the reins fast to a surcingle placed around the body for 
the purpose, and compel him to pass around the yard and jump 
the rod as he passes back and forth. When your horse will 
leap this rod when called upon to do so, you can gradually sub- 
stitute smaller rods and at the same time instead of placing one 
end in one of the holes, hold it now and then firmly in your 
land. In this way you can very soon dispense with the holes 
entirely, and instead of the small rods you can now use any 
long bow whip, and your horse will now gallop around the 
yard and leap back and forth over the whip, with bridle or hal- 
ter on. with all the grace of the deer. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

TRICK 8th— TO JUMP THROUGH THE HOOP. 

Before teaching the horse to jump through the hoop, it is 
necessary that you first teach him to ''jump the whip." It 
any rate yon will commence teaching him to jump through the 
hoop, by instructing him (if you have not already done so,) to 
jump this same rod as directed in the trick preceding this. 
When he will leap this rod without his bridle on, or with the 
reins made last to his surcingle, you can commence to instruct 
him in jumping through the hoop. To do this it will first bh 
accessary to place a small post in the ground, with holes 
through it to correspond with those in the fence. Some place 
this post eight or ten feet from the fence, having the hole op- 
posite those in the fence. Now place one end of your rod n 
the fence, and instead of holding the other in your hand as be- 
fore, pas.- it through one of the holes in the post some two fe&t 
from tlie ground. Next prepare a large hoop ; let it be six 
feel or more in diameter; fasten this at the bottom by a stra:) 
to your rod while you hold the side next you with your left 
hand. You will now send your horse around the yard as be- 
fore, making him jump over the rod and through the hoop at 
the same time. After he lias jumped through the hoop a num- 
ber of times be very gentle with him, caress him and allow him 
time to breathe. Repeat this exercise several rimes at eacl 
training, and your horse will soon jump back and forth througi 
this hoop as readily as over the rod. You will now gradually 
reduce the size of the hoop, until he will not hesitate to junp 
through one of only sufficient size to allow his body to pa*s 



43 

through with ease. If you should wish to add still more to the 
beauty of this feat by attachiug strips of paper to the inside of 
the hoop, while he is practising jumping through, you can in 
this way soon cover the whole inside surface of the hoop (like 
a drum head,) and he will leap through as ueadily as before. 
But this astonishing feat may be rendered still more brilliant, 
by lighting the center of the paper one moment before the horse 
is ready to pass through, and he will not hesitate, but " lay 
back his ears/' and plunge through the flame. 



CHAPTER XV. 

TRICK 9th— TO LIE DOWN. 

To teach your horse to lie down, it will be necessary you 
should take him to some smooth and level piece of ground, or 
you can train him in a large stable, but the floor must be well 
covered with straw or tan bark. In teaching the horse to lie 
down you will stand on the near side, take hold of the rein 
near the bit with your left hand, while you take up and hold his 
left fore leg with your right. Now call upon him to lie down, 
while you gently draw his head in the direction where his fore 
foot would stand, and his fore foot in the direction where his 
hind foot stands. Keep gently drawing his head and foot in this 
direction. When he straightens up or turns around, allow him 
to do so, but the moment he gives away again follow him up, 
while you continue calling upon him to lie down. Keep pa- 
tiently at "work, and he will soon lie down of his own accord, 
or allow you to push him gently over with your shoulder. 
While he is down caress and feed him, straighten out his legs, 
rub his limbs until he becomes perfectly quiet, and appears to 
be well rested, and then allow him to rise. Repeat this opera- 
tion two or three times at each training, until the horse will 
lie down as soon as told to do so. When he will not lie 
down readily at the word of command, you may gently 
pull his head down and back, and tap him lightly on the leg 
until he will obey. Making the horse lie down is a powerful 
means of subduing him. When you compell him to lie down, 
you conquer him, he acknowledges you his master, and will 
ever after obey you. It is sometimes desirable to hold a horse 



45 

down, and this may be accomplished by stepping on his mane 
with one foot, while you place your knee on his withers, and 
turn and hold his nose upward. If you should wish to perform 
some painful operation on your horse, it would be necessary 
in addition to making him lie down, to secure his limbs with 
proper ropes or straps. 



C1UPTEK X V L . 
I - iYN— AN< . 

Yoc will sometimes meet with a largo and pow< 

>rhaps you may lack the physical strength nec< 3sar; 
control even a small and docile horse : and for such Instai 
I insert " another method " of making the horse lie down. It 

is upon the same principle practiced by Rarey the great horse 

tamer: but it is rather a harsh operation, and not without 
danger to the horse, and should never be resorted to except in 
extreme case.-. 

To teach your horse to lie down by this method, take 
him to some smooth place, your training yard, or a large stable 
with the floor well littered. Put a strong surcingle around his 
body, and then fasten one end of a long strap or rope to the 
right fore leg just below the fetlock, while the other end passes 
back through the surcingle under his belly. This will keep the 
strap in the right direction. Then bend up his left fore leg. 
and place a soft strong strait around it in such a maimer that he 
cannot get it down. Ail being now ready, you will place your- 
self at his left side, take hold of 'the bridle near the bit with 
your left hand, while you grasp the strap with your right, (or 
you can pass this strap or rope to a second person who will 
stand behind you.) Xow steadily pull on his bit in the direc- 
tion his fore foci Would stand, and at tie same time pul] gently 
on your strap while you call upon him to lie down, and at the 
same time lean quite heavily against ids shoulder. This will 
soon cause hiin to move. The moment hi 3 weight from 



r 

Hub foot, your pulling will rai the sa 
obliged to full upon his knees, li' you ke trap tig: 

your hand, he cannot straighten his Leg if ho raises up. Hold 
him in tin- position while you bear against hi- ihoulder, and in 
■i. very few momenta he will lie down. A lone 

. .move your straps, straighten out his legs, car 
hiro, and after he ted a few moments, allow him to 

up. By repeating this a few times you wili have no trouble in 
making him lie down as direct',' 1 in the prece 

ver yet found a horse but that I could make . : . I '• 
without resorting to this method, and I ba e val- 

uable horses materially injured by repeated 
knee- while fettered in this manner. 



CHAPTER X V J I 



THICK llTii— TO KNEEL DOWN. 

In teaching the horse to kneel down, take him into your 
training yard, stable, or any other convenient, smooth place, 
either on the ground or a floor well littered. The horse will 
not readily kneel upon hard ground or on the bare floor, be- 
cause his knees are very sensitive or tender. After teaching 
your horse to "lie down" it is a very easy matter to make him 
kneel. You will proceed as in teaching him to lie down, only 
you will call upon him to kneel instead of lie down. As soon 
as he drops upon his knees preparatory to lying down, stop 
him in this position, caress and reward him. By frequent rep- 
etition he will learn to kneel at once when told to do so, or by 
any familiar signal you may choose to adopt. If your horse 
has not been taught to lie down he can be taught to kneel, but 
not as readily. You will stand on the left side, rather in front , 
of him, or with your horse's head at your left elbow. Then 
take the horse by the bit with your left hand and gently draw 
his head down and back while you hit him lightly on' the fore 
leg with your rod, and call upon him to kneel down. He will 
soon come down upon one knee, and then the other. As soon 
as he gets upon both knees, caress him and reward him with a 
few kernels from your pocket. Repeat this often, and your 
horse will soon drop upon both knees when called upon to do 
so, or from any particular signal you may adopt. If you wish, 
you can now make your horse kneel for you to mount or dis- 
mount, or for the purpose of placing burthens on hi? back, like 
the poor camels on the barren deserts of Sahara. 



H A F T E R X V 1 I I . 



ro i i ' 



Take your horse I ient place and ■ aake 

him lie down. In order to make the horse sit up, you are tc 
call to mind his peculiar way of getting up, when not disturbed. 
He first turns on his belly, throws out his fore feet, and rais 
himself on them springs forward and rises on his hind feet. 

You will take the advantage of him, and compel him to sit 
up in the following manner : After you have made him lie dow] 
you will place yourself on the near side, turn or roll him on his 
belly, straighten out his fore feet in front of him, and throw the 
reins over his head, and hold them as in riding. Stand with 
your right foot upon his tail. Now tell him to sit up, and as 
he rises upon his fore feet, by taking a firm hold of the rein- 
on either side of his neck, you can prevent his giving that 
spring forward, and retain him in the sitting posture : stop him 
in this position by means of the reins and your weight upon his 
tail. Keep him only a few moments in this position, while you 
pet, caress, and give him a few kernels from your pocket. Re. 
peat this exercise several times at each training, and you] 
horse will very soon, when rising from his recumbent posil 
stop upon his haunches as readily as a dog. 

This is one of the prettiest tricks that can be taught the 
horse, and before we close we shall be able to make the h< 
sit down with other gentlemen and take a friendly game of old 
Sledge, in training the horse to perform this, and many of the 
accompanying tricks, it requires tact more than strength. ': 
mere boy, if he only possesses that peculiar tact, or instinct 
you may call it, is capable of controlling any common young 
horse, and for the benefit of the few who may lack these ne 
sary ingredients, I insert another method. 



C II A P T E P X I X 



TRICK L3th— TO SIT UP— ANOTHEB METHOD 

• To teach the horse to sit up, it may sometimes bta necessary 
r resort to artificial means to control him. The horse ma;. 
a large and powerful animal, or the person training him may be 
deficient in physical strength, or may not possess the tad 
skill requisite to control the horse, as directed in the first meth- 

For such instances I here insert another method. Yon will 

mence (as with the other method) by taking your horse into 
your training yard, or some other convenient place. Put on him 
a common hame collar, and make him lie down. Then take some 
small rope or strap ; make one end i'ast to his right hind leg he 
Low the fetlock, let the other end pass between his lore legs and 
through the collar. Now proceed (as in the other method) to 
turn or make him roll on his belly, and straighten out his for< 
Legs in front of him. Throw the reins over his neck, and place 
your right foot on his tail. Then take a firm hold of this strap 
with your right hand, (or you can give it to an assistant who 
will stand behind you.) and call upon him to sit up. or get up. 
By holding him firmly by the bridle, as in the preceding trick. 
• tilling gently upon the strap at the same time, you can ea- 
sily control the most powerful horse, and keep him in the sitting 
posture as long as you please. As soon as he rises upon his fore 
legs,stop him, caress him, ami iced him from your pocket. Keep 
him in this position a short time, and then allow him to get up. 
Repeat this a very few times, and you will have no trouble in 
holding him in the sitting posture, as recommended in the other 
method. There are very few I . but that can be held 

without this extra heip.it managed by a person possessed o£ the 

»er skill and judgment, as it requires more tact than strength 

erforming thes 3 with tin 



CHAPTER XX. 

TRII K L4th— TO WALK ON THREE LEGS 

YOU U teaeiiim 

by step] >re him and taking him I t with 

left hand, while with your right you hit him lightly on his left 
fore leg with your rod. This will make him take up In.- I 
hut he will put it immediately down again, and then you will 
hit it again as before. Follow this up for a short time, hitting 
it every time - it down, and stopping and caressing him 

whenever he holds it up, until he will hold it up whenever you 
make a threatening motion with the rod. Repeat this quit< 
i. call upon him to hold up his foot, every time, before you 
hit or make a motion to hit him. When you can make him hold 
up his leg some little time, you can commence _; him to 

walk. While you are holding him (as before directed,; and he 
is standing upon three legs, <-all on him to come to you : and at 
the same time gently encou s ■ lim to walk, while you threaten 
his leg with your rod rf he puts it down, in this way he will 

. take one or more steps. As booh as he takes the fi 
stop, ■ aress him and feed him from your pocket. Give him 
or more I ach day, making him walk a little farther • 

time. In this way your horse will soon follow you around the 
yard. 

This trick requires considerable patience and practice 
your horte will walk off glibly on three legs, [f you choose you 
can in the same manner teach your horse to hold up any fool 
and walk on the other three. When you get your horse well 
trained to walk on three legs.so thai he will ••go lame," or "play 
lame,'" by some sly signal that you can adopt, unknown to those 
not in the secret, and hold up any one leg when told, even the 
hind ones, and walk on the other three, your horse is nearly 
doubled in value even if he should not understand an; 
trick. You are well . '-very hour spent in training him, 

as this is one of the prettiest tricks taught, 



CHAPTER XXI. 
PRICK LpTH— TO STAND ON HIND LEGS 

You can teach the horse to stand on his hind Legs in your 
training yard better perhaps than in any other [dace, as thesta- 
general thing would nol beof sufficient hight, and in 
• ■-■■■- ;. ■;■ ould nut so well control him. 

You will commence by pi icing on your horse a bridle with a 
running rein, and then with a long bow whip, you will step lb 
front of him and call upon him to "stand up," and at the same 
time hit him lightly around the fore Legs with your whip. 11' 
should run back, follow him up and continue calling upon 
him t ) -land up, while you hit him around the tore legs with 
your whip. As soon as he becomes angry he will rear up : then 
will stop, walk up to him, caress and feed him. Allow him 
to stand a short time, or until you have become friends again, 
than repeat the same until he will rear up whenever called upon 
to do so, whether by words or threatening motions of the whip* 

Then you will commence to instruct him to stand up for .some 
little time. This you will do by calling- upon him to stand up 
and when he rears up endeavor to make him standi some little 
time by calling upon him to stand up, by threatening motions oi 
■ whip, or if necessary hitting him quite hard around the 
legs. At firsl you only required him to rear up, and rewarded 
him for it. Now you not only require him to rear up, but to 
stand some little time. Whenever you ran succeed in making 
him stand, if but for a moment, slop, caress and reward him 
Repeal this several times at each training, and in a very 
short time your horse will rear and stand some little time. 

This trick requires considerable practice before your horse, 
wid stand for any length of time, buj i1 is much sooner taught 

lan yon would at first imagine. The pony, or young colt, is 
h -'-nor taughl rlian 'ho full grown horse : bur vime, pa- 
tience and perseverence, wiil enable you to succeed in nearly 
every instance. This is quite a pretty trick to teach the ypUhg 
horse, but when united with his fellow, the next in order, it is 
really a splendid affair. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

TRICK L6th— TO WAL ■ v EIINJ Kliti 

Tu teach the horse to walk on his bind legs, it will be 
to' take him h yard. Commenci ] \ putti 

with the " running rein," and then tnake hiin " stand up. ' I 
on him to to you ; and at tin - time with yoi 

r< in gently encourage him to take one orinoresteps in ; 
If you fail in the first attempt, try again; keep trying h this 
way, until your horse will take one or more steps, and thei stop 
caress him, talk to him and pa} bin) well Irian your 
Repeat this as yen have the other tricks, making hin 
firs! perhaps one step, then two. then three, and so conl 
until he will follow you around the yard. Thisf trick 

siderable practice before your horse will walk aroun 
yard with ease and grace. But time and practice will at last 
always succeed, and when your horse will straighten himseli u] 
at his full length, and walk around his yard without bridle 
or halter, does not the sight well pay yen for every hoar g 
iii educating him ? Besides, you may perhaps have added hun- 
dreds to his value. To teach a horsi this trick as well as oth- 
ers in this work, labor slow; be very patient; dont undertake 
fci educate your horse in one day, or one week. Comm 
with one of the tricks, and teach him that well, and tb 
another, and so on. Improve every opportunity by takingyoui 
horse into the yard,oi some otheij convenient place, and rein 
ing the different tricks yon have taught him. It will perhaps 
be" impossible to teach every horse to stand on his hind legs* to 
say nothing of walking, but the most of them can be taught; 
but there are some few that appear I lack the neci se 
ancing powers or are no1 sufficiently tractable to lei 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

TRICK 17th— TO SAY FES. 

To teach the horse to say "yes," or nod his head when you 
vish him to answer "yes," you will stand on the left side of your 
horse, holding him, (if he should need holding,) with your left 
hand, while you hold your rod in your right. Nowask him any 
simple question. You will say for instance : ' Charlie, do you 
like corn?" or " Fanny, do you want some oats?" and if you 
ivani your horse to say "yes," touch him lightly near the point 
of the shoulder with your rod. al the same time that you ask 
him the question. This will make him instantly nod. or make a 

of howing motion with his head, as he gral - with his nn 
for your rod. This- yon arc to take for a nod, ress him 

and pay him from yoi : Let. ■ 

'his you w^ t at every convenient opportunity, and 

your horse will soon nod his head by a very slight motion of 
your rod. Soon you carj substitute the right thumb for the rod, 
and he will answer any question that those standing by may ask, 
merely by a slight touch of the thumb, or perhaps the motion 
of the hand may be sufficient to make him say "yes," or nod. 

This simple trick is . q taught the horse, and tends 

- nuch, if not more than any other one trick, to make the horse 

appear intelligent. When you can make your horse (by some 

le signal that you can adopt ) answer promptly any question 

put to him, you have added to his value ten times the amount 

paid for this book. 



CHAP T E II XXIV 



TRICK 18th— TO SAY NO. 



To teach your horse to say "no," or shake his head when 
you wish him to say no, you are to stand on the left side of 
him, ask him some simple question, as, for instance, -'Charlie, 
do you like straw ?" or, "Kitty, do you know that man ?" and 
at the same instant that you ask the question, give his neck a 
strong grip or squeeze just back of the ears. This will cause 
him to shake his head, (perhaps rather awkwardly at first,) but 
you will take it for a "'no," and caress and pay him well. Re- 
peat this at every convenient opportunity, and your horse will 
soon shake his head quite naturally by asking him some ques- 
tion and giving his neck a very slight squeeze, or perhaps b}' 
merely laying the hand back of the ears. When yoar 
will shake his head by your placing your hand directly behind 
the ears, take hold of his neck a little farther back, and contin- 
ue removing the hand farther, until lie will answer questions 
by being merely touched upon the back. You can now, while 
standing beside your horse, throw your arm on his back 
while he is being questioned (if you should want him to say 
no) give his back or withers a gentle, (and to the bystanders 
an imperceptible) squeeze, and your questions will be satisfac- 
torily answered; and those looking on will not be able to see 
how the feat was accomplished. You can now, if you choose, 
adopt some little signal, (that you and }^our horse will under- 
stand,) and your horse by promptly answering all questions 
addressed him, will appear almost to posse?-' reason. 



CHAPTER XXV. 
TRICK L9ih—T0 WALTZ. 

After your horse has been taught to "circle around.' - you 
may easily teach him to waltz. To do this, it is necessary that 
you take him into your training yard. It would indeed be im- 
possible to teach him in any other situation. You will com- 
mence by taking him into his yard and removing his bridle or 
making it fast to his surcingle. 

Now, with your long bow whip in your hand, start him on 
the walk around the yard. When he has gone some half way 
tell him to '''turn the other way," and as soon as he has got 
fairly turned, call upon him to turn the other way. This will 
send him again the way he first started and makes one of the 
"tarns" in waltzing. Repeat this several times each day, raak- 
I tim walk around his yard, perhaps at first making only one 
such turn in going around, then two, then three, until he makes 
as many turns as you wish. . At first let him "walk the figure," 
then trot, and veiy soon he will take a slow gallop around his 
. and make the necessary turns. This trick is very soon 
:Ut the horse, but it requires much time and practice before 
he will waltz with ease. But time and patience will overcome 
every obstacle, and soon by having proper music, you can so 
regulate his speed and motion, that he will waltz around his 
yard and "'keep step with the music"'* with as much ease and 
grace as many of our country gentlemen. 

In learning the horse to make his turns in waltzing, you \. 
qa to obey the whip, instead of the voice. Stop him 
with your whip by stepping a little forward and holding your 
whip before him, then turn him with your whip, and send him 
again with your whip, and by using a very little ingenuity 
.a the motion of the whip, he can soon be taught to make all 
the turns in waltzing. 

This is a splendid trick when well acted, and the horse being 
t great "lover of music," soon learns to "keep step" and be- 
comes as much excited in the dance as many young men. This 
is the last trick in this class. In this class of tricks, the horse 
does not use his mouth in any instance, but in the following 
ones he will make use of his mouth in all or most of them. 



CHAPTER XXV 

TRICK 20iiT— TO PICK UP THINGS 

To teach the horse to pick up things with his mouth is tin 
first trick in this class. This trick is the foundation, the start- 
ing point, for all those which follow. Without teaching the 
horse this one trick, it would be impossible to teach him even 
one of the following tricks. But teach him this one, and all the 
others follow naturally, each one made easier by the one pre- 
ceding it. In teaching your horse this trick, it will often be 
necessary, (if he should be in any way inclined to be vicious,) 
first to make him fast to his manger with his halter, if not yov 
can allow him to stand without tying. Then place yourself on 
the near side of your horse, with your rod in the right hand, 
and some article that you wish him to pick up (an old ha1 
cap for instance) in your left. With the point of your rod now 
prick or touch him just back of the shoulder, until he becomes 
really angry and will try to bite or get hold of your rod. Then 
by holding the old hat near to, or over the place indicated, he 
will as he becomes angry and while endeavoring to get hold of 
your rod, seize the hat with his mouth. As soon as the horse 
takes hold of the hat, you must let go of it and allow him to 
take it. Stop now and caress him and talk to him. When you 
have become friends again repeat it in the same way. Th 
moment he seizes the old hat let go of it, and caress him. 
When your horse will readily seize the hat in this situation yon 
can commence holding it in different places. Hold it for in- 
stance some six or eight inches from his shoulder, then a little 
farther off. until he will pick it up if thrown upon the ground. 
You will now throw it on the ground or in his manger and call 
upon him to pick up your hat, or any other article that you 
may have substituted, and if necessary touch him with your 
rod, or perhaps by this time a touch of the thumb or a motion 
of the hand will be sufficient. When your horse will readily 
pick up any article that you may call upon him to, you will not 
regret the little time and trouble spent in teaching him. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



TRICK 21 st— TO HOLD THINGS 



After your horse has been taught to "pick up things,*' you 
can very readily teach him to hold them, after he has taken 
them up. In teaching your horse to '-pick up things,*' you re- 
warded him for merely picking them up. That was all you 
asked of him at that time. But now you wish to teach him to 
hold it in his mouth after he has picked it up. We may as well 
take the "same old hat" in this case as before. Now. when you 
call upon him to "pick up this hat," he will take it up, but drop 
; t again,, immediately. You will now call on him the moment 
iha T he picks it up to "hold it," and continue making him pick 
it up, and calling on him to hold it, until he will hold it suffi- 
ciently long for you to take it from him, and then you will 
stop, take the hat from him, and reward him with a gentle pat 
or a few kernels from your pocket. Repeat this often, until he 
not only pick up the hat, but hold it, and as he learns that 
. 'II receive no reward unless he holds the hat until you take 
it from him, he will soon pick it up and then by actions ask you 
tat he may receive the reward in store for obedi- 

You will require him to hold it a lit! . every clay, un- 

til he will pick it up and hold it any length of time, or even 
I while holding it. Y now. substi- 

tute other :aings in place of the hat, a mitten, basket, whip, or 
any article you may choose. 

This is a very nice little trick for any young horse to under- 
stand, and after your horse will pick up different things, hold 
them, and carry them around, you can accustom him to per- 
form many of the tricks already taught, such as jumping the 
whip, jumping through the hoop, while holding different arti- 
cles in his mouth. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 
OK li'-'xo— TO CARRY AND FETCH THINGS. 

After you have taught the horse to pick up and hold differ- 
ent articles, you will next commence teaching him to go to dif- 
ferent parts of his yard and fetch things, and then carry them. 
away. This is very easily accomplished by taking the same 
••old hat,"' or some other article, and first throwing it down be- 
fore him, and then calling on him to "take it up." This he will 
very readily do, for which you will reward him. Then throw 
the hat off some two or three feet, and call on him to "fetch your 
hat,"' and if necessary threaten or touch him with your rod. 
Repeat, this quite often, throwing the hat a little farther off 
. v time until he will fetch it from any part of the yard. 
When he will fetch different articles from any part of the yard, 
van commence teaching him to pick up different articles 
md carry them away. You can take the same "old hat'' and 
throw it on the ground, and then call upon him to "pick it up," 
and when he has done so you will with your whip send or 
guide him to your table, and then stop him until lie drops it, 
and make him stand in such a position that when he drops it it 
will fall upon the table. Now call on him to "come to you." 
Reward him with a gentle pat, or some soothing words, and 
then repeat it as before until he will pick up or take any arti- 
cle you may wish, and by pointing with your whip send 
him to the table, and there leave it as readily as a child. In the 
same way you can send him to any particular spot or place by 
merely pointing in that direction with your rod or whip. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

. 2 -TO rAKE OFF CAP. COAT AX:» MTITENS 

To teach the horse to take off cap, coat and mittens, and car- 
ry them away when ordered, and bring them all back tu you 
again, it is necessary to take him into your training yard, or 
some other suitable place. You will commence in the firsl 
place to teach him to take oft' your hat. and then carry it away. 
This you will do by taking the '-'same old hat." first throw it on 
the ground and then call on him to get it, or pick it up, and 
when he has picked it up. - you will send or direct him with 
your whip to carry it to the table, and make him stand in such 
a position that when he drops it. it will fall on the table. Now 
call upon him to come to you again, and you will caress and 
rewavd him. Repeat this often. Then make him take it iron. 
your hands, and finally from your head. When he will 
readily, place some large mitten on your hand, and then call on 
him to take it off. When he makes the attempt, you can shut 
up your hand within the mitten and allow him to take hold with 
his teeth and pull it off your hand. Now send him, as before 
directed, to the table. After giving him some little practice 
in taking oft' and carrying away your hat, cap or mittens, yot 
can teach him to take off your coat. You will provide your- 
self with some old coat, have it quite Large for you. and let the 
sleeves come well down over the hands. 

First let him take it from your hands and carry it awaj 
Next throw it over the shoulders, and then call on him to take 
oft' your coat. You can now put it on and when he reaches out 
to take hold of it you can hold out your arm and then draw the 
arm back into the sleeve a lit ;>ehis teeth, 

at the same time it will give him a good opportunity to g I 
hold. Xow as he pulls to get the coat you can turn yourself 
around and carefully draw your other arm out. and your coat 
is oft'. Send him away as before directed. When he will take 
off your cap, coat and mittens, and carry them away, you can 
send him to the table where your things are deposited, and 
then call on him to bring them to you. This iie will do veiy 
readily, and you must not fail to reward him with a friendlv 
pat or a kind word, when he obe; - 



CHAPTER XXX. 

TR10K 24th— TO UNBUCKLE SADDLE GIRTH AND TAKE OFF 

SADDLE. 

To teach the horse to unbuckle his saddle girth and take ofi 
his saddle, you will first provide yourself with any common 
saddle. Place on the end of the saddle girth a very large, 
heavy buckle; cut away the leather around the tongue so that 
it will play quite loosely. Next splice down the strap that 
goes into this buckle, so as to bring the buckle low down, a lit- 
tle below the saddle skirt. Make the holes for receiving the 
buckle tongue very large, and have this strap when the girth is 
buckled up pass through the buckle some six or eight inches. 
You will now place the saddle on his back and buckle up the 
girth quite loosely. Place yourself on the near side of your 
horse, with your right hand hold of the skirt of his saddle, and 
call on him to "take off his saddle," while with the rod in your 
left hand you touch or prick him just behind the shoulder. 
This he will take as a hint to ''pick up something/' and having 
his attention drawn towards his shoulder by the rod, he will 
see, or you will call his attention to, this strap, when he will 
readily seize hold of it with his mouth, and as he will pull to 
the -trap, the buckle being quite low, as he pulls he will 
rather pull up ; this will cause the buckle tongue to drop out 
of the hole, so that when he lets go the strap the weight of the 
girth with the buckle will cause the buckle to slip ofi* the strap, 
and your girth is unbuckled. Now caress and reward him with 
.i gentle pat, or a few kernels from your pocket. Repeat this 
quite often, gradually changing the buckle for one of a smaller 
size, and likewise gradually raise the buckle up. until you can 
use a common buckle, and have it in the proper place. When 
your horse will unbuckle the saddle girth, you can teach him 
to take off his saddle. This you will do by first placing the 
-addle lightly on his back and then call on him to ••'take off his 
saddle ; ; ' and at the same time touch him with your rod. He 
will now reach for the saddle, and when he takes hold you can 
assist him by gently pulling it off his back. Repeat this a very 
few times and he will soon unbuckle the girth, and then take 
hold of the saddle and pull it off, and then you can direct him, 
as in trick No. 22, to carry it away. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 
TRICK 25th— TO OPEN A.NI SffUl TiiK DO 

In teaching your horse to "open and shut the door/' you 
can use the door of your yard, or any other common door. 
Place on this door a common hasp and staple, as you would 
have them made for a padlock, but instead of using a padlock, 
use a wooden pin. Have it rather short and fit it quite loosely. 
Fasten a strap to the head of this pin some six or eight inches 
long, and another to your door to serve as a handle for pulling 
the door open. Now call upon your horse to open the door, 
and send him with your whip, as directed in a former trick, 
to the door, and then with your rod or whip call his atten- 
tion to the strap attached to the pin. He will take hold of 
it, and as he attempts to fetch it away he will pull it 
out of the staple and your door is unfastened. For this 
you will suitably reward him; and then call upon him 
again and send him as before directed to "open the door,'' 
You will this time call his attention to the strap fastened to 
the door, which he will readily seize and when he attempts 
to bring it away as before he will pull the door open. 
Eepeat this at every convenient opportunity, and your horse 
will soon, when called upon to "open the door," walk up to it, 
pull out the pin, and then seize the other strap and pull it open. 
You will teach the horse to shut the door by placing him at a 
proper distance behind the door, and then call upon him to shut 
the door, but at the same time direct him to strike the door 
with his fore foot, as directed in a former trick, until he sends 
the door together or shuts it. By repeating this quite often, 
your horse will soon learn in shutting the door that he can ac- 
complish it much more easily by walking against it with his 
shoulders. This is not a difficult trick to teach, and whenyour 
horse will walk up to the door and gently rap on it with his 
foot, then pull out the pin, pull the door open, walk in, turn 
around, and close the door behind, his manners will appear much 
more cultivated than mauv of our country gentlemen. 



CHAPTER XX X I I . 
TRICK L'Gtii— TO PUMP WATEB 

To teach the horse to pump water from a well, first 
a temporary pump that will work very easy, and place it in any 

convenient place. If in your yard, place it against the 
as not to be in the way while exercising vour horse. Cover the 
handle with cloth, or some soft leather. You will now call 
your horse to pump some water ; and as lie has already b 
taught to take hold of different things, he will not hesitate when 
called upon to take hold of the handle of your pump. You will 
now call on him. again to pump water, and with your " rod" 
direct him to take hold of the handle. This he will readily do ; 
as soon as he grasps the pump handle, you will again i all on 
him to pump, but at the same instant give him a hint with your 
" rod" in the breast to make a bow. "While he is holding I 
pump handle in his mouth, you will compel] him to bow two or 
three times, and then stop, caress and reward him. 

Repeat this at every convenient opportunity, and your ho - 
will soon when called upon to pump water, walk up to the pump, 
Beize the handle in his mouth, and then by repeating those 
bowing motions, pump almost as naturally as a person. 
Soon you can take him to any common easy working pump, and 
place a pail under the spout, and your horse will take hold of 
the handle and pump the pail full of water. As a general thing 
the handle should be covered with cloth or some soft leather, so 
as not to injure his mouth or teeth. This is a beautiful trick, 
and after one has seen it executed the story once told oi 
horse that when dry would go to the pump and fill the trough 
with water, will not seem as fabulfitos as it was once considered 
and " the truth will look eve:: stranger thin fiction.'" 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 
K 27th— TO FIRE OFF A PISTOL. 

To teach a horse to fire off a pistol, you will place a block on 
your table, and then make your pistol fast to the top of this 
block, by means of proper straps ; then attach a small cord to 
the trigger, and let it hang over the edge of your table, with a 
large tassel at the end. X 1 ext put on your pistol a percussion 
cap, and call on your horse to fire off the pistol ; and at the 
same time direct him to take hold of this tassel. This he will 
readily do, but the moment he gives the tassel the slightest 
pull " pop goes the weasel/*' Repeat this often, and gradually 
idd a little powder, until when your horse when called on to firo 
off the pistol will walk up to the table, seize the tassel, and fire 
off the pistol when loaded with a full charge. You can now 
for a change, place the pistol on some high post, or on the top 
of your fence, and teach him to rear up, place his fore feet on 
your table, and then reach up and take hold of a tassel proper- 
ly attached and fire off* the pistol, or instead of making your 
pistol fast to your table or post, you can hold it in your hand 
with a suitable string and tassel attached to the trigger, and 
then when called upon to " lire off the pistol," he will walk up 
to you, seize the tassel in his teeth, and fire off' the pistol, and 
will often make quite a good shot at a target, placed on the op- 
posite side of his yard (provided that you hold the pistol in a 
proper position.) This is a very simple trick to teach the horse, 
but often affords a fund of amusement. 

In teaching the horse these different tricks, you should al- 
ways speak to him in a pleasant voice. Tell him what you want, 
by using the same language in connection with the same re- 
quirements. He soon learns to distinguish, what you mean and 
understands what is wanting when you call on him to "lie down," 
"sit up," "pump water," or "fire off a pistol," as readily as the 
ox understands what is required of him when he hears you say 
haw. gee, or whoa. 



CHAPTER XXXIV 



TRICK 28th— T SDH . ■ . ■ 



To teach the horse to ring the bell, take some small dinner 
bell and flatten the handle, and then cover it with several thick- 
nesses of cloth or leather, so that your horse can conveniently 
hold it in his mouth, and then call on him to "ring the bell," 
and at the same time direct him to take hold of the handle, and 
now by causing him to make quite a number of bows in quick 
succession, he will ring the bell very naturally ; or you can 
.have your bell rigged in a suitable frame, as you see them on 
cars and boats, and then by placing them on your table or yard 
fence, with a cord and string properly attached, as directed for 
firing off the pistol, you can send your horse to ring the bell, 
and when he has got a firm hold of this cord, you will cause 
him to make a number of bows, as directed above, and ho will 
ring the bell with ease. By repeating this at every opportuni- 
ty, your horse will soon, when called upon to ring the bell, 
walk up to the table, pick up the bell, and ring it with all the 
ease of a country porter. 

In teaching the horse the tricks in this class, it is not neces- 
sary to reward every time he obeys, as he is now sufficiently 
trained to be compelled to obey, which will be more pleasant, 
but you must not forget to treat him with the utmost kindness, 
and often reward him with an encouraging pat or soothing 
word. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 
TRICE 29th— TO FIND HIDDEN THINGS. 

Take your horse into your training yard, or some other large 
room or yard. You will now take " the same old hat " and 
throw it off some little distance, and call on him to find your 
hat, and send him for it as directed in a former trick. When 
he fetches the hat, you will reward him from your pocket. 
Now throw the hat a little farther away, and send him as be- 
fore, then farther, and continue throwing it a little farther each 
time. Then throw it in different directions; first one way 
and then the other, which will often require him to walk around 
his yard in different directions to find them. In this way he 
will acquire a habit of looking and searching for hidden things 
until he finds them, and you must be careful to reward him 
from your pocket when he brings the hat. When your horse 
will search, find and bring your hat from any part of the yard, 
you can commence teaching him to find this " same old hat " 
when secreted or hid. To do this, you will now cover his eyes 
with your hands, while some one throws the hat as before, and 
then remove your hands and call on him to " find your hat ;" 
this he will soon do. Now while you cover his eyes, let some 
one, after throwing the hat some little distance, cover it slight- 
ly with straw, not so but that he will readily see it, then call 
on him, as before, to find it. Gradually add more straw or 
some other litter until it is entirely concealed from his sight, 
and your horse will still find it. It is not necessary that your 
horse should always see the hat to find it. The sense of smell 
in the horse is so remarkably acute, that he can recognize the 
presence of his master or any article that he has been accus- 
tomed to smell, at a great distance. For him to find and un- 
cover things that are hid, it may often be necessary that he 
should paw or use his feet. This he will almost instinctively 
do. If not, you can soon teach him, by "standing/' as in a 
former trick, and making him strike his paw, as in knocking on 
the door, until he brings it to view. 



CHAPTER XXXVI 



TRICK 30th— to tell his a B Os. 



Iu teaching- the horse his A B Cs, you will place the. right hand 
end of the table, as you stand facing the steps, against some wall 
or fence, while you stand on the near side of your horse, with your 
horse between you and the fence. Xext provide yourself with the 
alphabet printed in large letters on cards. The best plan for fur- 
nishing yourself with those cards, would be to take a pack of com- 
mon playing cards and print the different. letters of the alphabet on 
the back of them. Xow place on your table some three or four of 
those cards, A B C, for instance. Place them equi-distant from 
each other, bend them slightly, so that when you spread them out 
on your table they will roll up a little, which will enable your 
horse easily to take them up with his mouth. Xo.v you will call, 
on your horse for some one of those cards, B, for instance, and at 
the same time give him to understand, by means of your rod, that 
he must pick up some one of those letters. If he should pick up 
the letter B, or the one called for, all right, and you will make him 
reach over and drop it upon the other side of the table; but if he 
should attempt to pick up the C or A, you will bring your rod for- 
ward from the back of his shoulder to the card, and prevent his 
taking it up. Repeat this exercise over and over again at each 
training, until he will readily select the letter called for. The horse 
very soon learns to pick up the cards spread out before him, by 
merely speaking to him, or by some sly motion you may adopt, 
and when he picks up the wrong letter, (as he often does), he will 
soon learn to drop it the moment he sees your motion to bring the 
rod forward. It is generally sufficient, after a short time, to stand 
on the near side of your horse, holding your rod before his breast, 
and then, as you are teaching him, if you call for any letter and he 
does not readily obey you, you can carry your rod back and touch 
him back of the shoulder, or if he attempts to pick up the wrong- 
one, you can soon teach him to pass it over, or drop it if he has 
picked it up, by pressing your rod hard against his breast, as you 
would in trying to make him back up. In this way any one standing 
by cannot tell by what means you instruct him to select his cards. 

Note.— The above trick, besides man j lat follow, a same gt 

and eould have been arranged mder pne genera head basfoj th iene toftb ■■ - ■■ 

them a; lucateo - ■- ' . 
insert them undi ■ separal beads 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

TRICK 31st— TO COUNT OR SELECT DIFFERENT NUMBERS. 

Place yourself, your table and horse, in the same position as 
directed in trick No. 30. Take a pack of common playing cards, 
and prepare them for use, by printing the nine different figures 
on the back of them. Let your figures be large. Now place 
your cards in a pack, and bend them slightly, so that when 
yon spread them out on your table they will roll up a little. 
Put some five or six of these cards on your table, and then let 
s »me person present call for one of those numbers, and you will 
direct your horse to pick up one of them. If lie selects the one 
called for, " all good," and you will make him reach over and 
drop it on the other side of your table, or let the one who called 
for it take it from his mouth ; but if he attempts to pick up the 
wrong number, you will make him pass over it or drop it as di- 
rected in the preceding trick. Repeat this often, and your horse 
will soon select the numbers called for, and either reach them 
to the person questioning him, or drop them on the opposite 
side of the table, with as much facility as a child. While 
training your horse in the tricks where you use cards, it is not 
necessary that you feed him ; he now understands more or less 
what you say, and all he needs is to be encouraged now and 
then with a friendly pat, or kind word. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
TRICK 32nd— TO SPELL. 

In teaching your horse to spell, you will use the same cards, 
ud your horse will take the same position around the table as 
1 trick No. 30. Take some twelve or fourteen of those cards, 
ad bend them slightly, and then spread them on the steps, 
iree or four on each step, Now let some person present put 
ut any simple word, such as cat, or dog. or any word that the 
orse can spell with the letters on the table. Supjpose (to il- 
tstrate) that he is asked to spell the word cat. You will now 
ive your horse to understand (by means of your rod or other- 
rise) that you want him to select one of those cards. He will- 
ommence to pick up the card, and you will stop him with your 
od whenever he attempts to, or picks up the wrong card, as 
irected in trick No. 80. In this way you will make him first 
elect the C and reach it over and drop it upon the opposite 
ide of the table, then the A, and then the T. In this way he 
nil spell any word put out to him, by selecting the letters in 
rder, as they come in the word, and dropping them on the oth: 
r side of the table. Repeat this exercise often, and your horse 
vill soon walk up to the table, and select the cards, to spell any 
lommon word that may be pronounced to him, provided always 
lis master is capable of spelling the same word. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



TRICK 33rd— TO READ. 



horse oan be tang bd words or sentences, by the 

same rules nsed in teaching ■ or spell. 

i yonr table, yourself, and horse in the same position as 
directed in trick No. 30. Take enough cards to include the 
i" twenty-six letters, and bend them up as before directed* 
spread them out on your steps. Let some person hand in a 
written or printed on a slip of paper This you will place 
• horse on the table, and then call upon him to read it. 
This he will now very readily do, with your assistance, by se- 
lecting from the letters placed before him on the table. Sup- 
• (to illustrate) some person hands in a slip of paper with 
, Doe written upon it. Your horse will spell it by first pick- 
ip the J then the O then the II and so on, until he would 
spell out the entire word, which, when placed in the order they 
were picked up would spell J-o-h-n D-o-e. In the same manner 
he would read any word or sentence handed in, or even read 
from a book, but rather slowly. And if you should not succeed 
in making your horse talk like " Baalam's Ass," he would be able 
to read the '"hand writing on the wall/' 



CHAPTER XL 



TRICK 34th— TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION IN THE MULTIPLI- 
CATION TABLE. 



To teach the horse to answer questions in the multiplication 
table, you will take the same cards used in counting, bend and 
spread them on the table in the same manner, and have ; 
table, your horse, and yourself, in the same relative position. 

The same general rules will apply in all the different tricks 
where we use the cards, but for the benefit of those who arc 
expecting thoroughly to educate their horse, or think of travel- 
ing with him as a trained horse, I shall, under all those tricks 
give a few examples to illustrate the management of th 
All being ready, let some person ask one of the multitude of 
questions in that table ; for instance, two times four 
many ? or eight times twelve are how many ? 

you can ask the horse any amount of questions 
may think proper, and with your rod or other 
rect him how to select the answers ; always making liim drop 
thera on the opposite side of the table. Where one figure will 
not answer the question, as in eight times twelve, you will in- 
struct him to first take up the card with the figure I m il 
pass it over, then the G, which when put together in the ordel 
selected will make 96. In this way he will be able to answer 
any question in the multiplication tabl . 

This is a very nice little trick, and affords qnite a fund of 
amusement, besides making your horse appear almost a Zerah 
Colburn in mathematics. 



CHAPTER X L I . 

TEI«K 35th— TO ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE. 

In teaching the horse to add, subtract, multiply and divide, 
you will use the cards with the figures on them, place your ta- 
ble, and take the same position around it as recommended in 
(rick 30; bend up your cards and spread them out on your 
steps. Now let some person present ask some simple question 
in any of the ground rules of arithmetic ; for instance : 2 and 
4 are how many? 3 from eight leaves how many? Twice 2 
are how many ? Divide 6 pennies equally among 3 boys how 
many will each receive ? Here, you will discover, is a question 
in each of the four rules, which your horse can readily answer 
with the numbers before him. To illustrate, let some person 
present ask a question in this way : Charlie, or Kitty, add 2 
and 6 together, how many will it make ? Now, you will give 
hirn to understand he must pick up one of the numbers, and at 
the same time direct him (as in trick 30) to pick up the 8. 
which answers the question. You can also vary the questions 
iu an endless variety of ways, to suit your fancy. Where 
one number will not answer the question, you will direct him 
i p pick up two or more, in the order they should stand to make 
the answer, as in trick 31 ; or you can provide yourself with 
quite a number of cards with figures from 1 up to to 20 or 
more. This trick, when well performed, is a splendid thing, 
and when your horse will, from some secret signal, walk up 
to the table, and promptly select from the cards spread out be- 
fore him, a correct answer to the different problems proposed, 
lie is certainly entitled to the name cf a " learned horse." 



CHAPTER XLII. 

TRICK 36th— TO BRING THE CARDS CALLED FOR. 

Take a pack of common playing cards, bend them slightly, 
and then spread them, face side up, on your table. Perhaps 
the better way, at first, would be to spread out only 8 or 10 at 
one time. Place them on your steps in rows, equi-distant from 
each other. Now let some person present call for any one of 
those cards before him. For example, some person present 
will say, "Charlie, or Kitty," (or whatever his name may be), 
"give me the Queen of Diamonds," You will now call on your 
horse to pick up the Queen of Diamonds, at the same time give 
him a touch with the point of your rod, or perhaps your thumb, 
to pick up one of the cards before him. If he should select 
the Queen, all right; and you will perhaps pat him on the neck, 
or caress him until some other card is called for. If, instead 
of selecting the Queen, he should make a pass to pick up some 
other card, you will stop him, as directed in trick 30, or you 
can adopt any other signal or watchword to prevent his pick- 
ing up the wrong card. Different teachers can adopt different 
signals, as their fancy may direct. The main object is to have 
whatever signal you adopt, understood between you and your 
horse, and unknown to spectators. Repeat this exercise at 
every training and your horse will soon learn to select and 
pass over aDy card that may be called for. Now, place at short 
distances around the yard or room, all the different cards in the 
pack, and then, as above, let any one call for one of those 
cards, and you will start your horse on the walk around the 
yard and whenever he comes opposite the card called for, you 
will, by some signal you may adopt, cause him to stop, pick up 
the card, and bring it to you; or you may send him, as direct- 
ed in trick 22, to the person calling for it. 



CHAPTER X L I I I . 



TRICK 37th— TO TELL HIS AGE, DAYS IN THE WEEK. MONTHS 
IX THE YEAR, &c. 

In teaching the horse to tell his age, days in the week, 
months in the year, <fcc, you will place your table as in spell- 
ing, and you and your horse will take the same position as 
there recommended. The horse will tell his age, and answer 
such other questions as you may choose to ask him, with cards 
prepared for the purpose ; or you can use the same cards you 
had while teaching him to count, or you could take quite a 
quantity and number them from one up to twenty-five or fifty. 
Xow take your cards, bend them up slightly, spread them out 
on your table, as in spelling. Let some one now ask him his 
tould be two years old he will select the card with 
the figure 2 on it. if six years the figure 6, and so on. Suppose, 
to illustrate, some person present inquires of him the number 
of days in the month, and you are not provided with cards of 
so high a number. He will now select and reach you the three 
and then a cypher, which will when put together make 30, the 
number of days in the month. In the same way he will tell 
you the number of days in the year, by selecting the 3, then 
the 6, and then then the 5. Repeat this as you would the other 
tricks, and your horse will in a very short time answer any 
question put to him, (provided always his master or teacher is 
qualified to answer the same questions,) and to vary the per- 
formance, and make it still more amusing, you can now and 
then, while exercising him in this trick, practice trick number 
17 and IS, or yes and no. For example, ask him if he can tell 
how many day? there are in the week; he will answer yes ; 
tell me how many, then, &c, &c. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 



TRICK 38th-TO TELL FORTUNE. 



This amusing trick is taught the horse in the following man- 
ner : Place your table as directed in trick 30 ; spread out on 
the steps your alphabet, and also your numbers; now let some 
person who is anxious to have the future revealed to him, take 
the "anxious seat." The person wishing his fortune told, can 
now ask the horse the following questions, or any others the 
horse would be able to answer by nodding or shaking his head, 
or with the letters or numbers before him, as, "How many 
years before I shall marry?" "How many children shall 1 
have ?» "Will the person I shall marry be rich ?" "What is the 
first letter of his name?" "What is the color of his hair or 
eyes?" &c. In this way they would ask your horse any num- 
ber of questions, and (with your help) the horse would be able 
by bowing, shaking his head, and with the cards, to answer any 
of the above questions, and as many more as their fancy or in- 
genuity can invent. By repeating this trick for some length 
of time your horse will bo able to unfold the future and fore- 
tell "coming events" as correctly, and with as much certainty, 
as any of our "celebrated fortune tellers," and with far less 
compunction of conscience. This trick, like many of the oth- 
ers, can, with a very little ingenuity on your part, be varied m 
an almost innumerable multitude of ways, to suit the fancy of 
those present, or the circumstances under which you are 
placed. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

TRICK 39th— TO PLAY CARDS. 

To reach the horse to play cards, or in other words, to take a 
'game ot old sledge," yon will, first place your table against the 
wall, or fence. 

You will stand on the right side of your horse, while he stands 
between you raid the fence, with the table before him, while the 
person playing with him. will take a seat on the opposite side oi 
the table. All being now ready yon will commence by first 
" cutting for deal/' The person managing the horse, will shuf- 
fle, cut and deal for him. After the cards arc dealt, you will 
run over his cards. The I 'egging, giving, and making a trump. 
you will decide for the horse, but you can ask him whether he 
begs, gives, or wishes a trump, and he can ansi 

yes, or no, which will make it still more amusing. When all 
matters are settled, and you are ready to commence playing, the 
person playing will now take his seat in the chair, and you will 
first bend, then spread out his hand on the steps. The table 
should be so constructed, that the person playing c u - ethe 
car,ds belonging to the horse. If the i mid play first, he 

will commence by throwing down some one of his cards on the 
side of the table next to him, and then you will direct 3 
horse to '• follow suit." by seled : _ the 1 'oper card, and reach- 

t forward and dropping it on the opposite side of the table. 
You will of course direct him in selecting - aught ii 

several tricks before mi!-. B3 repeating this trick at every con- 
venient opportunity, your horse will soon sit down to i. 
with a friend 1 go through with all the different parts of the 

s, with as much correctness and dispatch as " an old bl 
and will beat the lies' lyers s they can 

him. 

The •• Paddy"' when void there was a horse in town that would 
play a regular game of cards, < ss< - . may 

the divil have the man who larivd him." 



CHAPTER X L V 1 . 
TRICK 40th— TO PASS AROUND THE EAT 

Your training yard would be the proper place to teach the 
h rse to | ass around the hat, or in other words, to take up a 
contribution. This will be the last trick given in this work, and is 
calculated expressly for those horses that arc to travel in the 
circus, or as educated horses. 

This is nothing more than a combination of different tricks. 
Perhaps the best way to teach the horse to pass around the hat, 
would be to station several persons, equi-distant around the in- 
side of the yard ; let them stand near the fence ; place your 
hat on the, table, inside up, so that when he takes hold ofitwith 
his mouth, it will be "right side up," or in shape to hold the 
change. You will now call upon him to " pass around the nat," 
or ask him to take up a contribution. You will then send him 
i,ble, and direct him to take the hat, and then send him 
around the yard, (by a certain signal, with your whip or other- 
) You will make him -top, as he comes to different per- 
-<i;is stationed around the yard. Whenever they drop in the 
change, yon will cause him (by some hint that he will under- 
l) to make quite a low how, and then pass on. By giving 
your horse a few lessons in this way, he will soon, when called 
upon to pass around the hat, walk Up to the table, pick up the 
Lat, and then pa^s around the yard presenting it to different in- 
dividuals for their change, and rewarding- the different donors.. 
with one of his best bows, until he has made the entire circuit 
of hie yard, and then place the hat .-gain on the table. This is 
a. very nice little trick for the conclusion of your performances, 
and is very soon taught the horse. 

Note. — Many of the feat?, or tricks, contained in this work will no doubt to many 
look like impossibilities. What ! the horse read, spell, count, add, substract, multi- 
ply, and divide, play cards, tell fortunes, fire otf a gun, &c? Impossible ! Yes, he 
can do, and has been taught all of these, and even more. I have taught the horse all 
the different tricks contained in this work, and- the directions contained in this book 
for teaching the horse, can be relied upon as correct. They will never disappoint you. 
They are the result of careful study, and long experience, in the management of the 
horse. If there be any doubt concerning the truth of my statements, I should be ex- 
tremely happy to have the privilege of removing any such doubts, by exhibiting my 
" trained horse." 



CHAPTER XL VII. 

A NEW SYSTEM OF CURING OLD AND VICIOUS HORSES OF 
BALKING, KICKING, REARING, AND RUNNING AWAY. 

My system of breaking and curing the vicious horse, is 
founded (as I stated in the commencement of this work) on the 
principle that Adam's fall did not in the least possible manner 
affect his horse. The horse, with other created things .when 
first placed upon this earth, was pronounced "good,"' and that 
too, by a judge who well understood his nature and disposi- 
tion, and would not be very likely to pronounce the horse 
good that possessed many or all of those different vices, com- 
mon to our "broke horses*' of the present day. So you see at 
once, all those disagreeable, and often dangerous vices, are not 
natural to the horse, but are acquired in different ways in the 
course of their lives. 

The balky horse was perhaps at first kind and gentle, but 
was overloaded, or put to work with a breast sore or tender 
from labor performed the day before. The rearing horse was 
naturally clever and quiet, but being spirited and ambi- 
tious, instead of caressing him to make him quiet, they applied 
the lash. The kicking horse, when first broke, was mild and 
pleasant, but perhaps some part of an old harness gave way 
and allowed the carriage to come against his heels. The run- 
ning horse, like all such horses, was for a long time, perhaps 
years, a true and faithful servant, but was placed in the hands 
of a person not qualified to manage, or perhaps hold a well-fed 
but "well-broke" horse, and his natural and praiseworthy spirit 
could not be controlled by such a person, and the result was in 
this, as well as in the other cases, a '-worthless and dangerous 
horse/' Let a person trace back the history of those vicious 
animals, and he will find in everv instance, the first, and the 



70 

exciting cause, was mismanagement. Intemperance is often 
the first cause. The man partially deranged, as drunkards are, 
is not capable of managing the horse. It is too often as the 
old horse was supposed to say : 

l> When you are sober, 1 very well know. 
You feed very lavish, and ride very slow. 
But when you are boozy, I pay for if all, 
For you ride like the d — 1, and teed none at all." 

In breaking and curing the vicious horse of his acquired 
habits, you will strive to undo what others have done. The 
passions, like the muscles, grow strong, or weak, as they ar< 
called into action. That being the case, we should strive to 
cultivate his noble nature, and let those useless and acquired 
passions lie dormant, and they, like the muscles, when not ex- 
ercised, will soon become weak and powerless. Always treat 
the vicious horse with the utmost kindness ; never use the 
whip unless to increase his speed ; gain his friendship by ca- 
resses, and then you can mould or shape him as you may 
choose. The horse that loves you, will not kick, bite, or run 
away with you. In breaking and curing the vicious horse, re- 
member, "the merciful man is merciful to his beast." The 
poor, abused horse, often deserves our sincere sympathy. He 
is not the horse now he was by nature, he is the animal of our 
creation, and is very often a much better animal than we could 
reasonably expect, when exposed almost constantly to this se- 
ries of evils. Instead of wondering why the horse, at the 
present time, is so vicious, we should wonder why they are as 
good as We find them. 

By kindness, applied with judgment, we can cure the worth- 
less horse and make him again valuable, and my object in lay. 
ing down the directions for the management of the vicious 
horse, is to teach the horseman how to apply them to all those 
different and varied cases that he will constantly meet while 
engaged in the management of the horse. For the convenience 
of reference I have divided those vices into four different class- 
es : balking, rearing, kicking and running. 

Prof. "W. S. Clark, of Amherst, Mass., (a gentleman who has 
aided me materially in getting up this new and rather novel 
work, for which I return him my sincere thanks,) in his able 



80 

report on horses, before the Hampshire, Franklin and Ham- 
den Agricultural Society for the year 1859, makes the follow- 
ing remarks : 

••Finally, we must have better educated horses. It is no lon- 
ger necessary, and therefore it is wrong, to use vicious, un- 
manageable, dangerous animals, since it has been abundantly 
demonstrated that every young horse may be so perfectly sub- 
dued and so nicely trained as to perform, up to the extent of 
his ability, exactly what an intelligent and reasonable driver 
may demand. How greatly would the sum total of human hap- 
piness and comfort, to say nothing of safety, be increased, if 
our horses were only free from those troublesome and often 
alarming tricks, which are the result either of their ignorance 
or their insubordination I" 

••One horse is almost perfect, but he pulls away when hitched 
with anything less than a cable ; — another is very smart and 
kind, while you have hold of him, but if left for a moment to 
himself, springs into a gallop and leaves you alone ; — this horse 
runs away if his tail gets over the line, which it is very apt to 
do, and that one, if anything touches his hind legs ; — here is 
one of the very best, but goes when and where he chooses ; 
and closely related to him is another, all right, if you can only 
manage to tumble into the wagon before he starts; — this one 
kicks, that one bites, and another strikes with his fore feet. 
One is rendered unmanageable by the sound of a gun, or steam 
whistle, or band of music, and another is terribly afraid of a lo- 
comotive, or train of cars, or even of a railroad track: some 
will shy at a stone, or a stump, or a white cow, or a bit of pa- 
per, and others at a stage-coach, or a loaded wagon, or a wheel- 
barrow; — one fears a robe, another an umbrella, and another 
his own shadow, and so on and so forth, and yet almost every 
horse may be broken, in one month's time, so as to be free 
from every one of them, and that without any more use of the 
whip than is barely necessary to command his attention." 



CHAPTER X L V 1 1 1 . 

BALKING IX HARNESS. 

'Oh! if I had a donkey what wouldn't go, 
Do you suppose I would wallop him? Oh, no, no, no! 
I would coax him, I would flatter him, I would give him some corn, 
And put him in the barn where he would keep warm. ' ' 

Horses know nothing about balking, until brought into it by 
improper management. When the horse balks in harness, it is 
not from any unwillingness to perform his duty, but from some 
confusion, excitement, or mismanagement. They are willing 
and anxious to go, but they are too eager, or perhaps too am- 
bitious, to take that steady push against the collar necessary 
to move a load, and for their well-intended short pulls, or jerks, 
at the load, receive only the curses and lash of the driver, all 
of which would prevent their acting with a steady, determind 
purpose, and the result must always be, under this course oi 
treatment, the horse, after making numberless, well-intended 
efforts to move the load, at last becomes discouraged, angry, 
and refuses to go — balks. In breaking or curing the balky 
horse, first place on him a good strong harness, one if possible 
that he has been accustomed to wear, or one of the same style 
and finish, so as not to irritate him with any new or strange 
pressure. Provide yourself with a few handfuls of corn, or 
some other grain that he will relish. Ascertain, if you should 
not already know, under what peculiar circumstances he balks. 
By knowing this you can very often guard against the evil, 
and perhaps prevent the recurrence of the exciting cause. 
After you have placed the harness on him, allow him to stand 
some little time, or until he has had time to examine it, and be- 
come somewhat used to any new or strange pressure ; then 
take down your reins and commence driving him around. If 
he should appear in any way restless, or inclined to stop, stop 



8'j 

and caress him, and perhaps give. him a few kernels from your 
pocket. It is better to stop the balky horse before he stops of 
his own accord,, if possible. The horse never stops without 
giving or throwing out some signal. Different horses have dif- 
ferent signals by which they give the watchful driver to under- 
stand they will not proceed much farther. Many horses, before 
they stop, look back, others drop their tails, while others 
perhaps, begin to step short, and gradually settle back into 
their breeching. A.11 horses, by some one of the above signals, 
or in some other way, give plain and timely warning of the ap- 
proaching trouble. Now, by closely watching every motion 
of the horse, we can always ascertain in what that particular 
signal or warning consists, and by understanding this peculiar 
characteristic of the horse, we can always foresee the threaten- 
ing evils, and either prevent it entirely, or be prepared to meet 
it with less danger to ourselves and carriages than we other- 
wise would. Drive him around in this way. stopping him often, 
while you caress and talk to him. In talking to the horse, 
always speak to him in a low, gentle voice, call him by his 
name when you address him. Whenever you wish your horse 
to start, stop, or perform any other action, first call him by his 
name, and then tell him with a pleasant voice what you want. 
When you can drive him around, turn him this and that way, 
stop, and start him when you please, there would be no danger 
in placing him before a good, strong sulky. First, let him ex- 
amine it ; work slowly, take your own time. If your horse 
should happen to be one of those confirmed balkers, better set 
apart some one day for breaking him, and have no other busi- 
ness on hand. After you have placed him before the sulkey, 
lead him around for a short time, and if he appears quiet, you 
may take down the reins, and gradually work back, behind the 
sulky. Now, if you can drive him around in this way, stop, 
start, and turn him any way you choose, you can, while he is 
walking along, gently draw yourself up into the sulkey seat, 
and drive him around. Watch him closely, whenever you dis- 
cover any of his signals, talk to him, and if necessary stop him, 
caress him, and if he again appears quiet, drive him along. 
Sometimes it may be necessary to dismount, walk around him, 
and perhaps feed him from your pocket. By stopping him be - 



S3 

fore he stops; of his own accord, we can often succeed in break- 
ing up the habit of stopping. If he should stop (as they often 
will) and refuse to go, don't strike or urge him: lay down 
your reins, and allow him to stand ; loosen his check, and bring 
the collar forward. The horse, whenever he balks or refuses 
to go, if allowed to stand a very short time, without being 
whipped or urged to go, will, invariably, begin to grow restless 
and uneasy, and perhaps commence to paw, look around, or in 
some way give us to understand he is now willing to go again ; 
and will very soon, if not disturbed, make the effort to go. This 
is another peculiar and never-failing characteristic of the horse, 
and any man, in the least conversant with the nature of the 
horse, must have noticed this singular trait. Now, the horse 
man, by understanding this never-failing characteristic of the 
horse, can always succeed in getting him along without resort- 
ing to the whip, or any other harsh means. All he has to do, 
is to wait patiently until the "spirit moves," or he is disposed 
to proceed of his own accord, and then be ready to "jump 
aboard and travel on." We can often succeed, by caresses and 
otherwise, in making him start much sooner than he otherwise 
would. All that is necessary in breaking the balky horse, is 
to treat him with the utmost kindness, watch him closely, 
whenever you think he is about to stop, guard against it, and 
if possible, prevent it, or if he should stop, wait patiently until 
he is again ready to go, and then be prepared to act with him. 
By following these directions you will have no trouble in mak- 
ing the most confirmed balker again true and valuable. When 
you can manage him without any difficulty before the sulky, 
you can place him before any other light carriage, and gradu- 
ally add to his load, until he will haul any reasonable load 
required oi him. Gain his love by kindness. Cultivate his 
noble nature, and let those old and useless passions lie dormant 
and inactive, until they will become weak and powerless. 



CHAPTER XLIX 



KICKING IX HARNESS. 



Kicking in the harness is one of those dangerous but com- 
mon vices or habits that our horses soon acquire by improper 
management while breaking, or, as is often the case, the horse 
remains gentle and kind for several months, perhaps years, and 
then suddenly acquires the habit of kicking, by having some 
part of an old rotten or weak harness give way, and allow the 
carriage to come in contact with his heels. Many of those 
"confirmed kickers' 1 had better be disposed of at once, at any 
price, or even destroyed, rather than attempt to break them, 
as many of them would be almost worthless, even if you could 
succeed in breaking them. But again, there are some few that 
are not only beautiful, but would be really valuable animals, if 
you could succeed in curing them of this one vice, and for the 
cure of such the following directions are intended. In the 
management of the kicking horse, always place on him a good, 
strong harness, one that he has been in the habit of wearing, 
if possible, for the irritation of different straps from those he 
has been in the constant habit of feeling, is sufficient excuse 
with many horses to demolish everything behind them if possi- 
ble. Whenever you place him before any carriage, let it be a 
strong one, the sulky is always to be preferred. Let the shafts 
be long, strong and wide. In the first place, ascertain, if you 
should not already know, under what particular circumstances 
he manifests this vice : what peculiar irritation is necessary to 
make him kick, and lastly, how he kicks. Now if you can as- 
certain under what circumstances he kicks, you can often 
avoid or remove the cause, and by knowing the particular irri- 
tation necessary, (perhaps getting the line under his tail.) you 



85 

can guard against or remove the exciting cause, and then b\ 
knowing beforehand how he kicks, you will be the better pre- 
pared to meet the danger. The kicking horse, like the balky 
horse, never kicks without giving us some never failing signal 
of his intentions. Different horses have different hints or sig- 
nals by which they give the intelligent horseman timely warn- 
ing. Some horses, before they kick, shake their heads, or 
throw back their ears, while others, perhaps, give the tail a 
sort of twist or flirt, or cling it tightly down. These charac- 
teristic signals of the horse, are fully understood among the 
horses themselves. Watch, for instance, a number of young- 
horses while in the field at play, or even in anger. You will 
notice the fact, that the horse, before he kicks, gives his play- 
mate, or perhaps rival, a peculiar hint or signal, which he un- 
derstands and immediately acts upon by endeavoring to get 
out of the way if possible, or prepare himself to receive the 
blow from his opponent's heels. Now the horseman, by un- 
derstanding this never failing trait of the horse, can turn it to 
good account in the management of the horse. 

In breaking the kicking horse, place him before a strong sul- 
ky : treat him with the utmost kindness ; first gain, if possible, 
his friendship and love by caresses, and by feeding him occa- 
sionally a few kernels from your pocket. Lead him around at 
first. Watch every motion, until you ascertain what his par- 
ticular signal consists in. Whenever he appears in the least 
excited, stop and caress him. Stop him if possible before he 
commences to kick, and in that way you will often succeed in 
breaking up the habit. When you can lead him around, stop, 
start, and turn him in any direction, take down your lines and 
drive him around. If he kicks whenever he becomes excited, 
watch him closely, and keep him quiet. If he kicks by getting 
the reins under his tail, (as many do,) you can often remedy this 
by docking and pricking, or by using them very carefully, and 
keeping the lines away from their tails for some little time, you 
can often break up the habit entirely ; or you can cure any 
young horse of kicking whenever he gets the lines under his 
tail, by carefully, cautiously and gradually using him to having 
them there. You can at first, while in his stall, place them un- 
der his tail, and then pull them out. Repeat this quite often, 



until he will care nothing about thcni, then place him before a 
strong sulky, and then gently at first place them under his tail. 
Repeat this often, or almost constantly, until he will not resent 
or resist their being put under his tail, either accidentally or 
by design. If he should kick from the irritation of some part 
of the harness, or from the whiffletrees striking his heels, you 
can in the same gradual way accustom him, if necessary, to 
their presence. In all your intercourse with the horse, always 
treat him with kindness. Never scold or fret at him ; never 
fetter or confine him ; give him the free use of every limb, and 
never use the whip unless to increase his speed. The horse is 
not naturally disposed to injure you ; he has contracted that 
vice by bad management, and really deserves our sympathy in- 
stead of our chastisement. 

The horse that is kindly treated, if he should in a thoughtless 
moment, and perhaps under some temporary excitement, throw 
out his signal, as much as to say '-'look out for your eyes," 
would, after taking a second sober thought, perhaps recall some 
one of the many kindnesses received, drop his tail, throw his 
ears again forward, in a pleasant manner, as much as to say, 
'•keep your seat, don't be frightened, for I am at the helm, 
please pardon my thoughtlessness. 7 ' 

By treating the horse according to the directions laid down 
in this work, you will never fail to make the worst kicker again 
safe, gentle and valuable. 



C H A P T E R L . 
REARING IN HARN I - - 

Rearing in the harness is one of those vicious habits that our 
young horses soon acquire, under the management of ignorant, 
or thoughtless drivers, especially if they happen to be those 
spirited, or ambitious animals, that are all life. But, unlike ma- 
ny other vices of the horse, it is attended with but little danger, 
and the horse is soon broke, or cured even in confirmed cases, if 
properly managed. The rearing horse, being spirited, was eager 
to go, and if not allowed to proceed at once, or if sharply spoken 
to, or the whip applied, becomes uneasy and restless, and finally 
if not allowed to proceed, rears up perhaps several times, or until 
allowed to go. The rearing horse, was perhaps, by nature, one 
of the best of horses, but being possessed of an eager and ner- 
vous disposition, could not bear restraint unless combined with 
kindness, and very soon by improper management contracted 
the disagreeable habit of rearing. The rearing horse, like the, 
balky or kicking horse, has his peculiar signal, by which lie 
gives the observing horseman timely warning of his intentions. 
Different horses, have different signals. Sometimes, before the 
horse rears, he commences to paw, snort, or shake his head, 
while others perhaps, toss their heads, or champ their bit, or in 
some peculiar way, give us never failing warning they will if not 
prevented rear up. Now by watching the horse closely, we 
can soon ascertain in what his peculiar warning consists, and 
either prevent it entirely, or be prepared to meet it in such a 
manner, as will do us the least injury. In breaking or curing 
the rearing horse, treat him with the utmost kindness. First,, 
ascertain under what circumstances lie rears, or what particular 
irritation is necessan r to call out their vice, and by ascertaining 
the cause, we can often remove it entirely, and then the effect 
will cease. All that is necessary generally, to cure the rearing 



8S 

horse, is to treat him kindly, i 3 and ice.;} him quiet ; but if 
be should happen to be confirmed in his habit some other course 
must be taken. Place him before a strong sulky: let even- 
part of your harness be strong, and if possible, one he has been 
in the habit of wearing, so as not to irritate him with any new 
pressure. At first, it may be necessary to lead him. Stop of- 
1 si . and caress him, turn him around, first this and then that 
way. Whenever he appears restless, caress him, and feed a few 
kernels from your pocket. Watch him closely until you have 
ascertained, in what his signal consists, and by keeping an eye 
on him, you can easily prevent his rearing, and in a short time 
break up the habit entirely. If possible stop him before he 
rears, strive to keep him quiet. When you can lead him around, 
stop, start, and turn ii: every direction without his becoming 
restless, or angry, take your reins and drive him for a short time 
until you can drive him in any direction, and then get on the 
sulky. Whenever be rears up (as they sometimes will) go to 
I i- side talk to him. call him by his name, rub his forehead, pat 
and caress him, and feed him Ira;, your pocket. In this way, 
lie will soon become attached to you. and would sooner stand by 
v lur side and receive cart 1 other rewards than to rear 

up and leav< ips his only friend behind. This vie 

more troublesome than dangerous, and, as is generally the case, 
the horse is in every other resp< i r a valuable animal: we are 
always anxious to rid him of this one '"besetting sin.* : as 
-easily accomplished. By following the simple rules here laid 
clown, the rearing horse soon becomes safe and valuable. 



CHAPTER LI. 
SUNNING IN HARM 

Running away iu harness is another of those dangerous as 
well as costly vices the young horse acquires by improper 
management. This vice, by many writers on the vices of 
horses, is considered incurable, when once the habit is estab- 
lished. But by observation, as well as experience, I have 
every reason to believe that this vice, as well as others of a 
less serious nature, can be permanently cured if treated accord- 
ing to the directions laid down in this work. Many of our run- 
away horses were for several years perfectly kind ; but by 
some mismanagement became not only unsafe, but dangerous. 
From being valuable animals, they became valueless or worth- 
less. 

Some horses acquire the habit by first being frightened ; 
others by being left unfastened, or not properly fastened, and 
allowed to break away and run ; while others run from mere 
ambition. The driver allows them to get so excited that when 
he would fain " slack their speed, 7 ' or stop them, he finds, but 
too late, he does not possess the neceesary strength to check 
them in their headlong speed, and when they are once under 
full motion, and no one is capable of checking their speed, then 
woe to the harness, carriage, and horses, to say nothing of the 
lives and limbs there endangered. 

In breaking and curing the run-away horse, treat him with 
all that kindness his noble nature deserves. Strive by every 
means in your power to gain his love and confidence; let no 



90 

opportunity escape to caress and flatter him. As soon as you 
can get the horse to love you, you have little cause to fear him, 
for the horse that really lcves his master, will not be very like- 
ly to bite, strike, kick, or run away with him, or in any way 
endanger his life. If, in a thoughtless moment, while overflow- 
ing with life and ambition, he should make the attempt, when 
he received the check from the bit, and heard the familiar 
voice of his best friend calling on him to stop, would he not be 
very likely to heed the voice and submit to the rein of one 
from whom he had been in the constant habit of receiving ca- 
resses and other rewards ? 

In driving the run-away horse, always provide yourself with 
a good, strong harness. Many a valuable horse has been 
ruined, and numberless lives lost by having some part of an 
old, rotten and worthless harness give way. Place in his mouth 
a good, strong, curb bit — one capable of controlling, or hold- 
ing him if necessary — and then you will be prepared, if gentle 
means fail, or some unavoidable accident should occur and he 
should attempt to run, you could teach him at once that it is 
" thus far and no farther." When the horse ascertains you 
can really hold him, he will yield to the bit, and seldom make 
the second attempt, and by treating the horse with great kind- 
ness, you soon rob him of every desire to injure you, or flee 
from you. While driving your horse, drive very slow. The 
horse never runs without first giving his attentive driver time- 
ly warning. Some horses, before they start to run, toss their 
heads, or give a peculiar snort, while others give their tail a 
peculiar twist. All horses, in some way give us to understand 
they are about to " be going,"' some hint we soon learn by 
watching them closely. If the horse runs whenever he be- 
comes excited, while driving, drive him slowly, talk to him, 
jail him by his name, if necessary, get down from your seat 
and walk around him, caress and feed him. If company should 
prove to be exciting, avoid it at first, and then gradually use 
him to company. I have never had any trouble in breaking 
the most confirmed run-aways. All that is necessary is kind- 
ness, patience, judgment and ingenuity. Ascertain, if you do 
not already know, under what circumstances he runs ; this is 
all that is generally necessary, and then bv removing the cause. 



91 

or guarding against it, your horse is soon broke. Ascertain as 
soon as possible, what his peculiar hint or signal consists in,, 
and then, by keeping close watch over him, you can always 
foresee the evil, and prevent it entirely, or be prepared to 
check him up, or " set him up " before it is too late. By driv- 
ing him slowly, and watching him closely, you will be able 
always to control him without his once getting the start of you. 
Never, trust him one moment : be always prepared to " set him 
up," if necessary, while you can hold a " tete-a-tete " with him, 
and turn the threatening storm into sunshine. 

By watching them closely, and not allowing them to get the 
advantage of us, the passion for running will gradually wear off, 
and those dangerous and restless passions, by not being called 
into action, gradually lose their power, and the once vicious, 
dangerous and worthless horse becomes again kind, safe and 
valuable. He has lost all desire to run or flee from you, and 
would now much sooner run to, than from you. 



CHAPTER L 1 1 . 

RULES FOE SELECTING A GOOD HORSE. 

"Look when a painter would surpass the life 
In limning out a well proportioned steed, 
His art with nature's workmanship at strife. 
As if the dead the living should exceed ; 

So did this horse excel a common one. 

In shape, in courage, color, pace and bone. 

Kound-hocf 'd, short-jointed., fetlocks shag and long, 
Broad breast, full eyes, small head, and nostrils wide. 
High crest, short ears, straight legs, and passing etron;. . 
Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide ; 

Look, what a horse should have, he did not lack. 

Save a proud rider on so proud a back.*' 

•'Sometimes he trots, as if he told the steps- 
With gentle majesty, and modest pridt ; 
Anon he rears upright, curvets and leaps, 
As he would say, io! thus rny strength is try'd: 
And thus I do to "captivate the eye 
Of the fair breeders that is standing by. ! 

William Shakspere. 

A.- every man is more "i less liable to be deceived and im- 
posed upon, by interested or dishonest horse dealers, and from 
ignorance of the proper shape, and qualifications necessary to 

constitute a good horse, are not only liable to be- deceived and 
disappointed, but are often swindled out of their money, I have 
endeavored in a brief way, to describe what I consider the dis- 
tinguishing characteristics of a good horse of all work, or a good 
business horse. 

The head should be rather small and lean, the forehead broad, 
square, and the profile straight. 

The jowls thin but muscular, and set well apart. 

The nostrils large, full and prominent, and showing a bright 
red membrane within. 



93 

The muzzle small, loan, firm and delicate. 

The lips close, firm and thin. 

The ears small, sprightly, clear, and almost transparent, they 
should be upright, and have a fine taper from the roots to the 
tips, which should be pointed and turn a little inward. 

The eye full, large and prominent, roving bold and eager, but 
mild and pleasant, the lids should be well open when at rest. 

The neck should be of moderate length and taper well to- 
wards the head, slightly curving on the top, and very slightly 
curved underneath. 

The mane rather long and thick, but not heavy. 

The withers high and thin. 

The shoulders long and oblique, thin and flat at the top, with 
the point low down and well forward. 

The back short, broad and nearly straight. 

The body round and deep at the shoulders. 

The ribs start from the back-bone in a direction nearly hori- 
zontal. The last should come out near the hip bone or be what 
we call "well ribbed up/' 

The flanks full and deep. 

The hips long, wide and muscular. 

The croup full, round and a little sloping. 

The tail full, heavy, and carried well up. 

The stifle wide, and the stifle joint well forward. 

The quarters full and plump, and the muscles of the thigh 
should continue plump and full well down to the hock. 

The limbs short. 

The fore-legs straight, and well-spread at the chest, and stand 
nearly perpendicular. 

The fore-arms long, wide at the top. and taper gradually to 
the knee, with the muscle plump and full in front. 

The knee wide and fiat, free from flesh, clean and compact. 

The cannon short, flean and free from meat. The back sinews 
should lie large and flinty, and stand "well oul from the bone. 

The legs thin, wide and sinewy. 

The fetlock not round, but rathe)- wi de. thicker in front than 
behind. 

The pasterns short, and slightly sloping. 

The hoof nearly round, open at the heel, smooth and hard, 
straight in front, from the hair to the toe, and not high behind. 



94 

Tito hair soft, short and glossj 

The height between 14 and 15 hands. 

The weight some ten or eleven hundred pounds. 

The gait. When travelling, his feet should be raised only 
enough to clear the inequalities of the ground, carried well for- 
ward in straight lines, and set down evenly, so that the entire 
sole comes upon the ground at the same time. 

The fore-legs should bend well at the knee, instead of the 
legs being raised principally by the movement of the shoulder. 

The hind-legs should be taken ap light and quick, and be car- 
ried well forward under the body, and have a peculiar, nervous, 
springy " pick up." The step should not be long, neither too 
short. Observation can alone determine when it is right. 

Such a horse as I have described. I feel confident, will prove 
admirably adapted to all ordinary kinds of service. Such a 
horse will be hardy, healthy and easily kept ; docile, gentle, in- 
telligent, always ready for use. and easily taught to perform any 
kind of service, or perhaps, 

Like Flora Temple, beat the morning wind. 
And leave the annals of the turf behind ; 
Carry like lightning the revolving wheels. 
And pick up miles upon her flying heels! 
Made up of steel and gutta-percha springs, 
She darts along as if she went on wings; 
And peerless now, compels the world perforce 
To own her Empress of the Trotting Course. 

— New Year's Address. 



CHAPTER LIII. 

RULES FOR TELLING TPIE AGE OF THE HORSE. 

At 1 year old, the colt has six nippers, and four grinders 

above and below in each jaw, 
At 2, The mark in central nippers will be much shorter and 

fainter, and all the nippers will be flat, and about this 

time the fifth grinder appears. 

At 3, The mark in the two central nippers is nearly worn out; 
he has now six grinders in each jaw, above and below, 
the first and fifth level with the others, and the next pro- 
truding. 

At 4, The central nippers will be fully developed ; the sharp 
edge somewhat worn off, and the mark shorter, wider and 
fainter. The next pair will be up, but will be small, 
with mark deep, and extending quite across them. The 
sixth grinder is level with the others, and the tushes be- 
gin to appear. 

At 5, The corner nippers are quite up, with the long deep mark 
irregular on the inside ; the tush is much grown, the 
grooves have almost or quite disappeared, and the outer 
surface is regularly convex. The sixth molar is quite up, 
and the third wanting. 

At <), The mark on the central nippers is worn out. The 
tush has attained its full growth, being nearly or quite 
one inch in length ; convex outward, concave neither 
tending to a point, and the extremity somewhat curved; 
the third grinder is fairly up, and all the grinders are 
level. The horse has now a perfect mouth. 

At 7, The mark is now worn out in the four central nippers. 
The tush is somewhat altered, it is rounded at the edge: 
still round without ; and beginning to get round inside. 



At 8, The tush is rounder in every way : the murk is gone 

from all the bottom nippers, and it may almost be said 

to bo out of the mouth, there is nothing remaining in 

the lower nippers to clearly show the age of the horse. 

At 9, The mark will be worn out from the middle nippers of 

the upper jaw. 
At 10. The mark will disappear from the next. 
At 11. The mark will disappear from all. Up to ten or eleven 
it is possible to tell the age of the horse almost to a cer- 
tainty : but after this period, we can only approach 
within a few years up to twenty or twenty-one. We now 
judge from the shape of the upper surface of the nip- 
per.-. 
At 8. They are ail oval, the length of the oval running across 
from tooth to tooth : but as the horse gets older, the 
teeth diminish in size. 
At !». The centre nippers are evidently so. 
At 10. The others begin to have the oval shortened. 
At 11. The second pair of nippers are quite rounded. 
At lo. The corner ones have that appearance. 
At 14. The faces of the central nippers become triangular. 
At IT. They are all so, 
At 19, The angles begin to wear off, but in a reversed direction, 

viz : from outwards, inward. 
A; 21, They all now wear tins form. 

er the horse has attained this advanced age. we can often 

ss very near the age of the horse by the deepening hollow 

over the eye. grey hairs around the head and muzzle ; thinness 

and hanging down of the lips ; sharpness of the withers : sink- 

f the back : lengthening of the quarters; and the disappear- 

e of windgalls. spavins, and tumors of every kind. 

[1 would be folly to expect perfect accuracy at this advanced 

if the horse, when we are bound to confess that the rules 

which we have already laid for determining this matter at an 

earlier period, although recognized however generally, and 

referred to in all the courts of justice, will not guide us in every 

is • '• ■ is •• exc< - to all rule . 



CHAPTER LIV. 

THE POOR OLD HORSE. 

For the benefit of those who may now be the owner of some 
old and worthless horse — one that on account of old age and 
hard service performed, is rendered almost helpless — and to rid 
themselves of the burden are thinking of " trading them off," 
or turning them out on the "common for to gnaw," instead of 
feeding, protecting and keeping them, after the infirmities of 
old age have rendered them useless, for the labor performed 
and good done in their youth ; a horse that has rendered his 
master faithful service for many a long year ; that has given 
his life and strength without a murmur, and not only added to 
his master's pleasures, but hundreds if not thousands to his 
coffers, I append the following beautiful lines. They not only 
faithfully portray the feelings and emotions that many an old 
horse must necessarily have, (if they are really possessed of 
feelings, which many men appear to doubt, judging from the 
cruel and inhuman manner in which they treat them), but also 
strikingly portray the situation and fortunes of many of the 
human family, that have spent not only their youth, life and 
strength, but substance, for the benefit of their children, but 
now, like the old horse, when no longer a profitable slave, are 
turned out to endure the " cold winds, the hail, rain and 
snow." 



THE LAMENTATION OP A IVOR OLD HORSE. 



My, . ~ 

But now 1' :n , 

- 

•■ Poor old hors 



My ktv - - 

5 5 

5 

g 

- 



- 

Ho MktS ro •..'. -.v. - straw. 

B, kill hiir . 

5 



huUtSlliail tlwj 

- 

• .ui so mar 

O\o- - - - 

- 



- . 
s 

- 
I he huiv.au racv. 
trsft, let h r - 

When Nat 

s 

But now l | 

Poor old borst let him die. 




NOTE TO T1IK PUBLIC. 



ii why those " numerous engravings" do not appear in this book, as many 
of in\ friends ha I reason to expect, is this: I, like many others, placed confidence in 
m •• sup n sed friend," who " pooketed my money,"' and left me "minus the means " 
hi !u\ first intenti >ns; but still hope, in a future edition, if I should nothave 
the nii sfurl uiic to make the acquaintance 6f another Tommy Bean, to be able to fulfil 
m\ fi rrnei' engagements. 




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